A Young Lady Aged 21, Possibly Helena Snakenborg, Later Marchioness of Northampton
- Artist: Unknown artist, Britain
- Date: 1569
- Medium: Oil paint on oak
- Dimensions: support: 629 x 483 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “A Young Lady Aged 21, Possibly Helena Snakenborg, Later Marchioness of Northampton,” painted in 1569. The oil on oak panel shows a finely dressed woman at a tender age, with an inscription on the upper right that reads “1569” and a note that she is “aged 21 or in her 21st year.”
She wears a fresh red carnation behind her left ear—a classic Tudor symbol of betrothal. In her soft brown hair a sprig of oak leaves reminds us of constancy, a subtle echo of her Swedish heritage. Two gold chains dangle: one pendant of a female figure holding a blue stone, the other a brooch of five enamelled oak leaves studded with pearls, looped through a purple ribbon. Her sleeves are embroidered with red roses, and her hat is adorned with white‑rose jewels, the two roses forming the Tudor rose, a mark of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth I.
The portrait may have been created by “The Master of the Countess of Warwick,” a painter active around 1567–69 who was known for soft hair, lightly outlined lips, and meticulous detail. Scholars believe the sitter is Helena Snakenborg, a Swedish maid of honour who travelled to England in 1565, became the fiancée of the Marquess of Northampton, and later a close friend of the Queen. This painting captures not only her youthful elegance but also the diplomatic ties and courtly symbolism of Tudor England.
See it in person
A Young Lady Aged 21, Possibly Helena Snakenborg, Later Marchioness of Northampton is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
