Art History Trivia - Hollywood Edition
March 24 2011
In 1969 Richard Burton bought for Elizabeth Taylor the famous pearl 'La Peregrina', which she wears above right. It had first been given by Philip II to Mary Tudor before their marriage in 1554. Almost all of Mary's portraits as Queen show her with the pearl.
In 1971 a small portrait by Hans Eworth of Mary was offered at Sotheby's (detail, above left). It was bought by the National Portrait Gallery with substantial help by Taylor and Burton, who remain credited on the NPG website to this day.
You can read a full account of the tale on Hope Walker's Hans Eworth website.
