Allegorical bust of a young woman, possibly `France?
about 1600
On Display PORTRAIT GALLERY
When this small bronze bust was bought in 1982, it was believed to be a portrait from life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Dated between 1559 and 1560, it was supposed to have been made when she was Queen of France after her marriage to the Dauphin Francois. It is now thought, however, that the bust does not represent Mary and is an allegorical representation of a woman, possibly as `France?. It is now attributed to the French sculptor Barthelemy Prieur instead of the earlier presumed maker, Italian artist Ponce Jacquio. The attribution remains controversial, as neither the style nor any item of clothing or jewellery can be exactly dated or confirmed. Other casts of the same bust are owned by the Musee du Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
