An interesting late 20th century reproduction copy of an old master,presented in a period 19thc antique decorative re-gilded frame,much in the style of artist John de Critz,depicting Princess Elizabeth 1st 1582-1662 seen sat besides her loyal protector Sir Francis Walsingham (later to become Ambassador to France).The portrait has been re-laid onto an old early heavy canvas liner to strengthen and to appear 17thc period.ABOUT THE ARTISTJohn de Critz or John Decritz (1551/2 – 14 March 1642 (buried)) was one of a number of painters of Flemish and Dutch origin active at the English royal court during the reigns of James I of England and Charles I of England. He held the post of Serjeant Painter to the king from 1603.De Critz was born in Antwerp. His Flemish parents brought him as a boy to England from Antwerp, during the Habsburg persecution of Dutch Protestants, and apprenticed him to the artist and poet Lucas de Heere, also from Antwerp, who may have taught members of the Gheeraerts family and Robert Peake as well.[1] De Critz established himself as an independent artist by the late 1590s, [2] and in 1603 he was appointed serjeant-painter to the king.CONDITIONThe surface finish has been produced to emulate an aged 16thc.appearance having a realistic heavy craquelure throughout providing a charred look often seen when pictures have been hung above open fires. The frame is a re-gilded early 19thc antique example.SITTERSFRANCIS WALSINGHAMSir Francis Walsingham was principal secretary to Queen Elizabeth I of England from 20 December 1573 until his death, and is popularly remembered as her ''spymaster''. Born: 1532, ChislehurstDied: April 6, 1590, Barn ElmsEducation: King''s College,University of Cambridge.Spouse: Ursula St. Barbe (m. 1566–1590), Anne Barne(m. 1562–1564)Children: Frances Walsingham Born to a well-connected family of gentry, Walsingham travelled in continental Europe after leaving university before embarking at the age of twenty on a career in the law. A committed Protestant, during the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary I of England he joined other expatriates in exile in Switzerland and northern Italy until Mary''s death and the accession of her Protestant half-sister, Elizabeth.Walsingham rose from relative obscurity to become one of the small coterie who directed the Elizabethan state, overseeing foreign, domestic and religious policy. He served as English ambassador to France in the early 1570s and witnessed the St. Bartholomew''s Day massacre. As principal secretary, he was a supporter of exploration, colonization, the use of England''s maritime power, and the plantation of Ireland. He worked to bring Scotland and England together. ELIZABETH I (TUDOR)Elizabeth I (7 September 1533 – 24 March 1603) was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called ''The Virgin Queen'', ''Gloriana'' or ''Good Queen Bess'', Elizabeth...