Painting of the Day: A Royal Fake

Portrait Miniature of the Baron Howard
of Effingham
False Signature and Date
Oil on Card, Gold Frame
1800-1899
The Royal Collection

This portrait miniature of Charles Howard, 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham, later 1st Earl of Nottingham (1536-1624) is signed and dated to appear that it is a Sixteenth Century work by Nicholas Hilliard. It is, however, a Nineteenth Century copy based on an existing portrait of the Baron Howard of Effingham.


The miniature on card in a gold frame was first recorded in the Royal Collection during the reign of Queen Victoria. It was believed to be an authentic Sixteenth Century piece. However, further inspection proved that it was not. Nonetheless, it is a clever copy and beautifully hand-painted. Now, due to its own merits, it is a cherished antique with an interesting history.