Raleigh ‘portrait’ found on walls of Bloody Tower
Historians hail ‘amazing’ mural believed to have been painted by explorer beheaded 400 years ago
HE WAS the renowned English adventurer, author and apothecary beheaded 400 years ago this month for allegedly conspiring against his king.
Sir Walter Raleigh spent a total of 13 years in captivity in the Tower of London and most of his life there has been well documented.
However, a historic find within the walls of the fortress has caused huge excitement among experts in the runup to the execution anniversary.
They were taken aback to discover a wall painting of a man’s head inside the infamous Bloody Tower, in one of the chambers in which Raleigh was held.
The profile, adorned with a laurel wreath, is believed to date from the early 17th century and was hidden from view by layers of paint and plaster.
The historians think it could have been done by Raleigh might be a self-portrait.
Dr Tracy Borman, joint chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the charity that manages the Tower, told The Sunday Telegraph: “I’m hugely excited about it. It’s a once-in-a-career find. It’s just extraordinary.
“To come across something like that, in an area that we thought we knew inside out, is fantastic.”
Dr Agnieszka Sadraei, HRP’s historic buildings curator, said: “We are hoping further investigation will prove that it is connected to Raleigh, which would be absolutely fantastic.”
The painting came to light while HRP was preparing a display on Raleigh in the Tower. Jane Spooner, a wall paintings specialist, noticed features on the wall which prompted the removal of layers of plaster.
Dr Sadraei said that after a few days, an eye emerged: “Absolutely amazing.” She added that the head’s laurel wreath, which kings himself, and were often portrayed wearing, suggested “the character represented … is a person of great distinction”. Dr Sadraei also noted parallels with 17th-century portraits, including those of Raleigh: “There are some features of the physiognomy that are quite distinctive. For example, a long nose, quite an elongated face.” Investigations have identified further painted traces to the left of the head. Dr Sadraei said: “It seems as if the head is looking towards something or someone. There’s a lot to be discovered.”
As a gentleman, Raleigh, one of the most renowned explorers of his age, was deprived of his liberty, but he had his comforts.
He lived in the Tower with his wife and son, another son was conceived there, and they had servants. He also grew a herb garden and experimented with different medication.
The painting will be unveiled to the public tomorrow and its discovery will feature in a Channel 5 documentary series, Inside the Tower of London, which begins on Tuesday.