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Art  &  Artist




 

 John Bettes the Younger

 

John Bettes the Younger   


(d London, bur St Gregory-by-St-Paul, 18 Jan 1616).

Painter, son of  John Bettes. He was in a team employed during the Christmas season of 1578–9 by the Office of the Revels, which was responsible for stage scenery and properties and other decorative work. An attractive Portrait of a Girl (London, St Olave’s & St Saviour’s Grammar Sch. Found.), inscribed ‘I. B.’ and dated 1587, is attributed to him, and there are tentative attributions of several portraits of Elizabeth I and other ladies. The decorative treatment of costume is reminiscent of Nicholas Hilliard, under whom, according to Vertue, the artist studied.

Queen Elizabeth I with a Fan, c.1585.
Attr. to John Bettes the Younger.

Queen Elizabeth I with a Fan, 1585-1590.
Attr. to John Bettes the Younger.

Queen Elizabeth with a Fan, 1585-1590.
Attr. to John Bettes the Younger.
Hever Castle, Kent.

Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1585.
Attr. to John Bettes the Younger.
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.