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| Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger Portrait of Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline 1610 oil on canvas National Galleries of Scotland |
"Despite remaining in Edinburgh, Seton had an extremely successful career in the court of King James I. Also, although Seton was Roman Catholic, James favoured him due to his support for his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, during her lifetime. This helped Seton in his appointment as Lord President of the Court of Sessions, a post he held from 1598-1604, and Lord Chancellor of Scotland, from 1605 until his death in 1622. He became the 1st Earl of Dunfermline in 1605. In 1610 he visited London and it is most likely that this elegant portrait was painted during this visit. He is dressed in a dark, subdued outfit, which perhaps relates to the recently issued note about the attire worn by Scottish officers. From his wrist hangs a small gold key, this may refer to his post as Chancellor."
– curator's notes from the National Galleries of Scotland
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| Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger Portrait of Tom Derry, jester to Anne of Denmark 1614 oil on panel National Galleries of Scotland |
"Tom Derry or Durie was the 'fool' employed by Queen Anne of Denmark, the wife of King James I. Monarchs and some aristocrats maintained the medieval tradition of keeping a fool or jester as part of their household until well into the seventeenth century. Some jesters assumed the role as a profession, whereas others occupied the position because of a mental or physical impairment. A much-loved servant, the Queen commissioned portraits of Derry by two of her favourite artists. In this portrait by Gheeraerts, Derry is dressed in an expensive doublet embroidered with precious metals and with a heavy gold chain around his neck. He holds a hospitality cup, filled with red wine, which was shared by guests at ceremonial functions."
– curator's notes from the National Galleries of Scotland
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| Michiel van Miereveld Portrait of Hendrik Damensz van der Graft 1620 oil on panel Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Peter Paul Rubens Christ as Redeemer of the World ca. 1624 oil on panel Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Jacob van Oost Portrait of a young man holding a statuette 1629 oil on panel Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Anthony van Dyck Portrait of a man 1630 oil on canvas Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Anonymous Flemish artist Portrait of a man ca. 1600-1650 oil on panel Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| attributed to Michiel Sweerts Portrait of a young gentleman ca. 1635-40 oil on panel Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Anthony van Dyck Portrait of King Charles I 1630s drawing Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Cornelis de Visscher Portrait of artist Abraham Bloemaert 1650 drawing on vellum National Galleries of Scotland |
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| Bartholomeus van der Helst Portrait of a man 1662 oil on canvas Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Gerrit Dou Portrait of a young man before 1675 oil on panel Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Simon Verelst Portrait of Robert Kerr, 1st Marquess of Lothian ca. 1678 oil on canvas National Galleries of Scotland |
"This image of Robert Kerr has a sensuous beauty. The sitter's face, framed by a flowing wig and beautifully painted fabrics, is tilted to one side as he gazes side-long out of the canvas with a melancholy expression. The portrait was painted during one of his business trips to London by the Dutch artist Simon Verelst who was best known for his still lifes of fruit and flowers. Kerr was an enthusiastic supporter of William of Orange and held high office during the reign of William and Mary."
– curator's notes from the National Galleries of Scotland
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| Jan de Baen Portrait of a gentleman with a helmet ca. 1680 oil on canvas Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |