Anne Boleyn Portrait Reveals Secret Artistic Cover-Up

A remarkable discovery beneath the paint of a portrait at Hever Castle suggests an Elizabethan artist attempted to refute claims that Anne Boleyn possessed a sixth finger. Scientific analysis, including infrared technology, revealed an underdrawing indicating a deliberate alteration to an inherited design.

The oak panel has been dendrochronologically dated to approximately 1583, during the reign of Elizabeth I. This period saw a conscious re-examination of Anne Boleyn's image amidst intense political and religious anxiety. The artist, by showing five digits on each hand, appears to have countered hostile rumors circulated by writers like Nicholas Sanders, who propagated the myth of a sixth finger to undermine Elizabeth I's legitimacy.

This visual rebuttal not only defended Anne Boleyn but also bolstered the legitimacy of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I. While it's impossible to confirm Elizabeth's direct commission, the timing and nature of the alteration strongly suggest a response to contemporary rumors and a reclamation of Anne's image. The portrait is considered the earliest scientifically dated panel portrait of Anne Boleyn currently known.

This revelation will be explored in an upcoming exhibition at Hever Castle, 'Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn,' which delves into how Anne's image was created, altered, and politically deployed. Historical accounts varied on Anne's appearance, with some describing her as not conventionally beautiful, while others noted her intelligence and charisma, which captivated Henry VIII.