Lady with the Jewel

In the eighteenth century this unidentified lady was thought to be the Empress Isabel, wife of Carlos V. She was later groundlessly associated with Maria of Portugal, whom Mor portrayed in 1552 while she was engaged to Felipe II. The latter broke off the engagement to marry Mary Tudor.

This more than half-length portrait is of great technical quality. The feminine face, with its reserved expression, stands out against a dark background, as does the hand resting in front of her sumptuous black dress. The elegant artifice with which she grasps with two fingers the jewel hanging from her neck is in keeping with portraits Mor saw during his stay in Italy.