Magdalen Poultney, later Lady Aston

This striking full-length portrait of a young Magdalen Poultney is thought to have been commissioned by her grandmother and may have acted as an introductory painting for a prospective husband. Magdalen represents the epitome of style and aristocratic wealth, dressed in a sumptuous silk gown decorated with silver and gold spangles, and with a ruff, yoke and cuffs of delicate Brussels lace.

Flemish-born Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger emigrated to England with his father at the age of seven to escape religious persecution in the Spanish-controlled Low Countries. The young Gheeraerts, and his father who was also an artist, became part of a large community of immigrant Protestant artists, which had established itself in London, bringing with it new ideas and approaches to art.

Tansy Curtin, Curator of International Art Pre-1980