How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

A half-length portrait, facing forward, dressed in black, with lace collar and cuffs, holding an enclosed watch and wearing jet earrings and a pearl necklace.

The sitter was a Dutch heiress from Bloumerckem, who, before 1619, married Sir Jacob Astley (1579–1652), 1st Baron Astley of Reading. He was commanding a company in the Anglo-Dutch brigade fighting the Spanish in the Low Countries. She bore him two sons and a daughter. The baronetcy became extinct in 1668 on the death of their grandson, who died without children.

She holds what is probably an open prayer-book, which has been inscribed with the date 1640. The enclosed watch she holds is a symbol of mortality. She is clothed in mourning dress, but is not a widow.