The Women Who Painted the Tudors Not Just the Tudors
Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Release Date: November 25, 2024

Introduction

In the Not Just the Tudors episode titled "The Women Who Painted the Tudors," Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the often-overlooked contributions of female artists in Tudor England. Joined by freelance art historian Emma Rutherford and portrait miniatures expert Alan Derbyshire Cloud, the episode explores the lives and works of Susannah Horenboot and Lavina Teelink, two remarkable women who played pivotal roles in shaping Tudor portraiture.

Unveiling Female Artists in Tudor Portraiture

Emma Rutherford opens the discussion by highlighting the traditional recognition of male artists like Hans Holbein, Nicholas Hilliard, Isaac Oliver, and Lucas Horenboot in the Tudor court. However, she brings attention to burgeoning research that uncovers the significant presence and activity of female artists during this period.

Key Points:

• Susannah Horenboot: An artist at Henry VIII's court, trained by her renowned manuscript illuminator father, Gerard Horenboot.
• Lavina Teelink: Flourished under Catherine Parr and Elizabeth I, also trained by a famous artist, Simon Benning.

Emma Rutherford [02:27]: "But new research is starting to reveal that not only were there women artists painting the Tudors, but they were probably more active than we have hitherto known."

The Horenboot Family and Artistic Legacy

Alan Derbyshire provides a detailed background of Susannah Horenboot, tracing her origins to Flemish artist Gerard Horenboot and her early recognition by Albrecht Jurer in Antwerp in 1521. He emphasizes Susannah's equal standing in terms of payments and reputation alongside her father and brother, Lucas.

Alan Derbyshire [04:45]: "He says she is around 18 years old. So this helps give us a rough date of her birth. And he's incredibly impressed by her work... it's very wonderful that a woman can do so much."

Discovery of the Mary Tudor Miniature

A significant highlight of the episode is the revelation of a newly discovered miniature portrait of Lady Mary, Princess Mary (later Mary I), which Rutherford and Derbyshire propose was painted by Susannah Horenboot.

Details:

• Dating the Portrait: Based on Mary’s attire and symbols, the miniature is dated between 1521-1526.
• Attribution: Due to the miniature's unique features and historical context, it is attributed to Susannah Horenboot, marking potentially the artist’s first confirmed work.

Alan Derbyshire [27:06]: "But because she's almost the only miniaturist standing at in England who would have had access to Mary... we may well have our first touchstone miniature by Susannah Hornbolt."

Artistic Techniques and Attribution Challenges

Dr. Eleanor Yo delves into the complexities of attributing miniatures to specific artists. She explains that:

• The generic construction and similar materials used by artists make it difficult to distinguish individual styles.
• Differences are often subtle, such as brushstroke application and facial feature rendering.
• Current methods rely heavily on comparative analysis and, potentially, future technological advancements like AI for pattern recognition.

Dr. Eleanor Yo [12:03]: "A lot of it is just by looking and comparing. And when you have the opportunity to put several miniatures next to each other... you can start to see there's a certain way."

The Role of Lavina Teelink

The conversation shifts to Lavina Teelink, Susannah's contemporary, whose career extended into the late 16th century. Derbyshire outlines her significant contributions and connections within the royal court:

• Official Recognition: Teelink was officially acknowledged as a painter and received a substantial salary.
• Influence: Her works, including the famous "Phoenix and the Pelican," suggest she played a crucial role in crafting the royal image.
• Legacy: Unlike her male counterparts, Teelink's influence extends into the training of Nicholas Hilliard, though direct acknowledgment in historical texts is absent.

Protein Derbyshire [37:37]: "She was being paid as an artist. She has an official salary... She is being paid more than Holbein, who is being paid around 34 pounds a year."

Gender and Recognition in Tudor Artistry

The episode examines how gender may have influenced the recognition and legacy of these female artists. Derbyshire and Rutherford discuss:

• Historical Oversight: Female artists like Horenboot and Teelink were largely omitted from historical records dominated by male artists.
• Modern Reassessment: Current research efforts aim to rectify this imbalance, acknowledging the significant contributions of women in Tudor art.
• Impact of Gender: While both artists were celebrated in their time, their female status might have contributed to their marginalization in art history narratives.

Alan Derbyshire [43:12]: "These women have definitely been left out of the secondary sources, but what I'd really like to do is to find out a little bit more about the status of women at this point as artists."

Conclusion and Future Prospects

The episode concludes with a call for continued research and collaboration to further uncover and authenticate the works of these pioneering women. The discovery of the Mary Tudor miniature serves as a promising touchstone for future studies, potentially reshaping our understanding of Tudor portraiture.

Emma Rutherford [31:36]: "Very exciting and we should be watching this space. Please do come back to us."

Professor Lipscomb wraps up by encouraging listeners to explore more episodes and engage with the ongoing discoveries in Tudor history.

Notable Quotes

• Emma Rutherford [02:27]: "But new research is starting to reveal that not only were there women artists painting the Tudors, but they were probably more active than we have hitherto known."

• Alan Derbyshire [04:45]: "He says she is around 18 years old. So this helps give us a rough date of her birth. And he's incredibly impressed by her work... it's very wonderful that a woman can do so much."

• Alan Derbyshire [27:06]: "But because she's almost the only miniaturist standing at in England who would have had access to Mary... we may well have our first touchstone miniature by Susannah Hornbolt."

• Dr. Eleanor Yo [12:03]: "A lot of it is just by looking and comparing. And when you have the opportunity to put several miniatures next to each other... you can start to see there's a certain way."

• Alan Derbyshire [37:37]: "She was being paid as an artist. She has an official salary... She is being paid more than Holbein, who is being paid around 34 pounds a year."

• Alan Derbyshire [43:12]: "These women have definitely been left out of the secondary sources, but what I'd really like to do is to find out a little bit more about the status of women at this point as artists."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Not Just the Tudors shines a light on the significant yet underappreciated roles of women artists in Tudor England. Through meticulous research and engaging discussion, Professor Lipscomb and her guests bring to the forefront the talents of Susannah Horenboot and Lavina Teelink, urging a reevaluation of art history to include these pioneering women.

For more intriguing explorations into Tudor history and beyond, subscribe to Not Just the Tudors on Spotify or your preferred podcast platform.