Portrait of a Noblewoman, c. 1550, Unknown, 30 1/8 x 22 11/16 in. (76.52 x 57.63 cm) (panel), Oil on panel, England, 16th century, The woman in this portrait was likely connected to the English court or royal household. She wears a French hood and an elaborate gold brooch, both upper-class indicators. The scene on the brooch shows a seated woman playing what appears to be a lute, with the inscription 'Praise the Lorde for ever more.' Her portable prayer book is encased in gold, a type of 'girdle book' that was also a high-status item among ladies of the court.