A newly analyzed portrait of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, is believed to have been created to enhance her reputation posthumously. Historians utilizing infrared reflectography have discovered that the artwork was likely intended to counteract allegations that she possessed six fingers and was a witch.
This painting, currently displayed at Hever Castle in England, showcases both of Boleyn's hands, each with the standard number of fingers. However, the infrared scans indicate that the initial sketch did not depict her hands, implying that the artist altered the original design to include them.
Sixteenth-century royal portraits were often based on preliminary sketches taken during brief sittings. These sketches served as templates for artists, ensuring a consistent representation across various studios. The portrait of Boleyn may have been derived from one such sketch, dating back to around 1583, during the reign of her daughter, Elizabeth I. This timing suggests it could be the earliest surviving representation of Boleyn and potentially the most accurate.
Henry VIII's decision to divorce his first wife, Catharine of Aragon, in favor of Boleyn led to significant religious upheaval, including his excommunication and the onset of the English Reformation. Unfortunately, Anne's inability to produce a male heir resulted in her being charged with treason and subsequently executed in 1536.
Following Elizabeth I's ascension to the throne in 1558, Nicholas Sanders, a proponent of restoring Roman Catholicism, sought to challenge her legitimacy by claiming Anne was "unnatural" and had six fingers. The portrait appears to serve as a direct response to such claims.
Kate McCaffrey, an assistant curator at Hever, remarked, "This is Elizabeth's way of reclaiming her legitimacy and restoring her mother's honor. While we can't definitively say Elizabeth commissioned the portrait, its timing suggests a direct reaction to the circulating rumors."
The portrait will be showcased in the upcoming exhibition, "Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn," set to open in February 2027 at Hever Castle and Gardens.
