---
title: Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Possibly Emilia Lanier
author: Nicholas Hilliard
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20199/portrait-of-an-unknown-woman-possibly-emilia-lanie/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-03-14
---

# Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Possibly Emilia Lanier

_Authored by Nicholas Hilliard_

## Image File

[![Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Possibly Emilia Lanier](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20199.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20199.jpg)

## Image Caption

A portrait of an unknown woman, thought to be Emilia Lanier Bassano, English poet and perhaps the inspiration behind [William Shakespeare](https://www.worldhistory.org/William_Shakespeare/)'s 'Dark Lady'. Watercolor on vellum, by Nicholas Hilliard, circa 1590.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Hilliard, N. (2025, March 14). Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Possibly Emilia Lanier. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20199/portrait-of-an-unknown-woman-possibly-emilia-lanie/>
### Chicago
Hilliard, Nicholas. "Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Possibly Emilia Lanier." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 14, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20199/portrait-of-an-unknown-woman-possibly-emilia-lanie/>.
### MLA
Hilliard, Nicholas. "Portrait of an Unknown Woman, Possibly Emilia Lanier." *World History Encyclopedia*, 14 Mar 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20199/portrait-of-an-unknown-woman-possibly-emilia-lanie/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nicholas_Hilliard_010.jpg) by [**Nicholas Hilliard**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nicholas_Hilliard_010.jpg). Submitted by [Harrison W. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/harrisonwmark/ "User Page: Harrison W. Mark"), published on 14 March 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.