Nicholas Hilliard 1547-1619
Portrait of an Unknown Woman of the City
Dated 1602
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to pasteboard; in its original turned ivory box (lid missing)
Inscribed either side of her head in Latin, 'It seems and truly is'/ 'Year of Our Lord 1602'
Museum no. P.26-1975
Bequeathed by Mrs Doris Herschorn

This woman is not from the court. Her distinctive tall black hat suggests she was probably the wife of a Freeman of the City of London.