LONDON (AP) — A significant painting went on public display on Friday, potentially representing the only portrait of England's shortest-reigning queen, Lady Jane Grey, painted during her lifetime. This claim comes from the conservation group English Heritage, which states that compelling evidence exists to indicate that the portrait, now on loan from a private collection, depicts Lady Jane Grey, who reigned briefly at the age of 17 for just nine days during the summer of 1553.

Lady Jane Grey stands as one of England's most tragic royal figures. After her fleeting reign, she was executed at the Tower of London in 1554. A staunch Protestant amid a time of profound religious turmoil, she became an innocent victim of the machinations prevalent within the Tudor court following the chaotic aftermath of King Henry VIII's reign.

Jane is widely recognized from Paul Delaroche’s painting, “The Execution of Lady Jane Grey,” which currently resides in the National Gallery in central London. This famous artwork depicts her blindfolded, awaiting execution by an executioner wielding an axe. However, it is important to note that Delaroche's painting, along with the few other portraits claiming to represent Jane, were all created after her death.

According to English Heritage, the recently unveiled portrait is a Tudor-era work that could indeed be a “live” representation of Jane. This painting, along with six other artworks, will be displayed at Wrest Park, a country estate located west of London and managed by English Heritage. Interestingly, Wrest Park has also served as a filming location for scenes from Netflix’s popular period drama “Bridgerton.”

In collaboration with the Courtauld Institute of Art and scientist Ian Tyers, who specializes in dendrochronology—the dating of tree rings—English Heritage presented a compelling case surrounding the portrait. Evidence suggests that the wooden panel could have been constructed between 1539 and approximately 1571. Jane is believed to have been born in either 1536 or 1537 and was executed in early 1554, which adds credence to the possibility that the painting may indeed portray her.

Further corroborating this is a cargo or merchant mark found on the back of the panel, mirroring a mark used in a royal portrait of King Edward VI. Edward, in a tragic turn of events, was responsible for naming Lady Jane as his successor. It was under Edward VI, Henry VIII’s only surviving son and the first monarch raised as a Protestant, that Jane rose to prominence.

Edward wished to prevent his kingdom from reverting to Catholicism following his impending death, and thus he bypassed his older sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, opting instead to name Lady Jane as his heir. On July 10, 1553, Jane became queen, but her reign ended merely nine days later, following an uprising by Mary’s supporters, leading to her being convicted of treason and sentenced to death.

As for the newly unveiled portrait, Rachel Turnbull, English Heritage's Senior Collections Conservator, notes that the evidence suggests the painting may reflect a more regal portrayal of Lady Jane Grey, which was subsequently toned down to represent a narrative of subdued Protestant martyrdom after her execution. Art experts also pointed out peculiarities in the depiction, such as a “striking change” in the alignment of the sitter's eyes and alterations made to her eyes, mouth, and ears, hinting at the possibility that the sitter was adorned in a more elaborate costume.

Ultimately, Lady Jane Grey remains a figure defined by her intellect and eloquence—reportedly fluent in several languages and a great admirer of Plato. However, it was her devout Protestant convictions that made her appealing to Edward VI, positioning her at the center of this tragic chapter in English history.