Bedclothes help identify queenly portrait

LONDON, March 14 (UPI) -- A nightgown helped reinstate a Hans Holbein portrait in Britain's Royal Collection as one of Anne Boleyn, second wife of British King Henry VIII.

The portrait, painted around 1530, is inscribed with her name. However, historians noted early inscriptions often were incorrect, so it was dismissed as a contemporary portrait of the queen and thought to be a portrait of an unknown woman, The Times of London said.

Academics traced the inscription to John Cheke, who began his court career under Boleyn's patronage. Documents indicate that Cheke inscribed many Holbeins to help identify faces of royalty and courtiers.

Bendor Grosvenor, who assisted Tudor historian David Starkey with the research, told The Times Cheke would have known most of Holbein's sitters at least by sight.

"It seems inconceivable that he would get Anne's identification wrong," Grosvenor said.

Boleyn was Holbein's first royal patron, designing a coronation arch and jewelry, so it would be unlikely "that she did not at some point sit for her portrait," said Grosvenor.

Also, the garment worn by the subject -- a nightgown -- indicates someone of a higher station, The times reported.

"Only a woman of the highest rank would have taken such a liberty in court circles," Grosvenor said.