Lady Margaret Douglas (1515-78), Countess of Lennox 1575

This miniature portrait by Nicholas Hilliard, a leading figure in the development of the art form in Elizabethan England, depicts Lady Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. Executed in 1575, the work demonstrates Hilliard's signature style of meticulous detail and subtle color transitions, creating a lifelike and intimate portrayal of the sitter. The diminutive size of the work (4.5 cm diameter) points to its function as a personal keepsake or jewel, likely intended for private viewing.