On the Nature of Women: Tudor and Jacobean Portraits of Women, Montacute House, Somerset

Article by: Caroline Plaisted, Ink Pellet

An innovative display of portraits featuring various wives and scandalous women, some not seen in public for more than 70 years. These portraits marked significant events in the sitters’ lives and show the rapidly changing beauty and fashion. The display explores contemporary ideas about female character and virtue. We learn that some male writers of the day considered women to be naturally manipulative, shrewish, and prone to vice, whilst others saw them as ‘moderate and prudent beings, created to bring comfort, honour, and children to their husbands’. The portraits are stunning (so fresh they look as if painted yesterday) and include the recently discovered ‘hidden’ portrait of Shakespeare’s patron Henry Wriothesley who appears to have been painted over with a portrait of his wife, Elizabeth Vernon. Caroline Jeeves, Learning Officer, welcomes school groups and has lots of hands-on learning ideas (call to book on 01935 823289) including Ruff, a spoof Hello-style magazine for 16th Century WAGs. Curated by students from Bristol University under the leadership of Dr Tarnya Cooper from the National Portrait Gallery.