Circle of Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

three-quarter length, standing, wearing an ornately embroidered pointed bodice, intricate needlelace and a pearl decorated black velvet gown, with a diamond jewel on her right sleeve

Samuel Skurray Day (1887-1816), Hinton House, Hinton Charterhouse, Somerset, by 1813;
by inheritance to Mary Day, his mother, who died in 1846, leaving Hinton House to Thomas Jones (1808-1848);
by descent to Edward Talbot Day Foxcroft (1837-1911), his son;
by descent to Mary his daughter, who married Osmund Percie Skrine;
by descent

Rev. J. Nightingale, Beauties of England and Wales, 1813, p. 456 (as "Mary Queen of Scots in a richly worked dress by Zucherro")

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals minor scattered retouching, particularly at the edges of the canvas, and infilling to craquelure overall. FRAME Held in a British Palladian carved and gilded frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Alice Spencer was the youngest daughter of Sir John Spencer of Althorp and his wife Katherine, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Kytson. In about 1579 she married Ferdinando Stanley, Lord Strange (1559-1594), son and heir of Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby and his wife Margaret Clifford. His maternal grandmother was daughter of Mary Tudor, Henry VII's daughter, and thus Ferdinando had a claim to the throne which caused some consternation. Ferdinando succeeded his father as Earl of Derby in 1593 but died shortly afterwards. He and Alice left no male issue but had three daughters: Anne who married Lord Chandos and secondly Lord Castlehaven, Frances who married the Earl of Bridgwater and Elizabeth who married the Earl of Huntingdon.

Alice was well educated and a prominent member of Queen Elizabeth's court. She shared with her husband a love of poetry and theatre and encouraged visits by a number of acting companies. One such company, known as Lord Stanley's Men (and later the Countess of Derby's Men) merged in 1594 with the Lord Chamberlain's Men of which Shakespeare was chief playwright. Amongst several poets, Edmund Spenser dedicated works both to her and to her daughters. She also performed in masques before the court.

In 1600 Alice married Sir Thomas Egerton, who bought for her Harefield House in Middlesex and assured for her a life interest in the Derby estates in the Midlands which eventually passed to her daughter Frances wife of Sir Thomas's son John. The Egertons entertained Queen Elizabeth at York House in 1601 and at Harefield in 1602. Alice shared her husband's love of books and played a part in building up his great library. Following Egerton's death in 1617, Alice stayed on at Harefield and continued as patron of the arts. She encouraged John Milton who wrote Arcades in her honour in 1632. When it was staged Alice herself played a part together with her grandchildren.

Sir Roy Strong has suggested that the sitter in this magnificent portrait is probably Alice Spencer on the basis of a comparison with a portrait of her from the Stoneleigh collection.