Anne of Cleves, full face in gold-embroidered brown dress with red sleeves and waistband, gold and jewelled crucifix suspended from a gold and jewelled necklace, gold and jewelled headgear with white linen veil

Anne of Cleves (1515-1557), daughter of John, Duke of Cleves, champion of Protestanism in Germany, married Henry VIII in 1540. After the death of Jane Seymour in 1537 she was considered as a possible wife although it was reported 'I hear no great praise neither of her personage nor beauty'. As a result of Thomas Cromwell's desire for England's alliance into Protestant Germany, the marriage treaty was signed on 24 September 1539. Henry had only seen the flattering portrait painted by Holbein before the wedding and when Anne arrived in England in 1539, Henry took an immediate dislike to her and referred to her as the 'Flanders mare'. In June Cromwell fell from power and Henry dropped the alliance with the German princes and the marriage was declared null. Anne was pensioned off with lands to the value of £3,000 and designated the 'King's sister'. She lived quietly for the rest of her life in England.
The miniature by Hans Holbein after which this miniature is taken is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. P.153-1910).