c. 1559
Portrait of Margaret of Parma
Antonis MorNetherlandish, c. 1512/16 - c. 1576
The court painter Anthonis Mor probably made this portrait of Margaret, Duchess of Parma (1522-1586), around the time her half-brother, Philip II of Spain, appointed her to be governor of the Netherlands in August of 1559. The cross shape of her broach refers to the symbol of both their patron saints, Margaret and Philip. Mor painted over an earlier dress and hanging pearl necklace to depict the somber cloak and necklace seen here, most likely in order to acknowledge Margaret's appointment and new authority. The pearls refer to her name, as "margarita" is the Latin word for pearl.
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