A newly unearthed secret beneath the layers of paint on one of history's most iconic portraits has revealed a shocking truth about the life and legacy of Anne Boleyn. Scientists have discovered that an Elizabethan artist deliberately included a "visual rebuttal" to claims that Anne had a sixth finger on her right hand, a myth that was used to smear her reputation as a witch.
This revelation comes from a recent analysis of Anne's Hever portrait, where researchers used infrared technology and dendrochronology - the study of tree rings - to uncover a dramatic underdrawing beneath the surface. The analysis suggests that the artist initially used a pattern called "B", which was commonly used for royal portraits at the time, before adapting it to counter the malicious rumors that Anne had six fingers on her right hand.
According to historians, these claims were not just baseless gossip - they were part of a deliberate campaign by opponents of Anne and her daughter Elizabeth I to undermine their legitimacy. Nicholas Sanders, a 16th-century writer and activist, was one such advocate who claimed that Anne had six fingers on her right hand in order to discredit Elizabeth's claim to the throne.
The discovery has been hailed as "thrilling" by experts at Hever Castle, where the portrait is housed. Dr Owen Emmerson, an assistant curator at Hever, said: "By clearly displaying five digits on each hand, the portrait acts as a visual rebuttal to hostile rumours and as a defence of Anne Boleyn - and, by extension, of her daughter Elizabeth's legitimacy."
The analysis also sheds light on the artistic techniques used during this period. The researchers found that the artist used patterns drawn from life in brief sittings, which were circulated between workshops as approved likenesses.
While we can't say for certain whether Elizabeth I herself commissioned this portrait, it certainly seems too much of a coincidence for it not to be a response to rumors circulating at the time. The discovery is set to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Hever Castle, titled Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn.
For centuries, the image of Anne Boleyn has been subject to myth and misconception. But this new analysis offers a glimpse into the truth behind one of history's most infamous portraits - and reveals that sometimes, it is the smallest details that can hold the greatest significance.
This revelation comes from a recent analysis of Anne's Hever portrait, where researchers used infrared technology and dendrochronology - the study of tree rings - to uncover a dramatic underdrawing beneath the surface. The analysis suggests that the artist initially used a pattern called "B", which was commonly used for royal portraits at the time, before adapting it to counter the malicious rumors that Anne had six fingers on her right hand.
According to historians, these claims were not just baseless gossip - they were part of a deliberate campaign by opponents of Anne and her daughter Elizabeth I to undermine their legitimacy. Nicholas Sanders, a 16th-century writer and activist, was one such advocate who claimed that Anne had six fingers on her right hand in order to discredit Elizabeth's claim to the throne.
The discovery has been hailed as "thrilling" by experts at Hever Castle, where the portrait is housed. Dr Owen Emmerson, an assistant curator at Hever, said: "By clearly displaying five digits on each hand, the portrait acts as a visual rebuttal to hostile rumours and as a defence of Anne Boleyn - and, by extension, of her daughter Elizabeth's legitimacy."
The analysis also sheds light on the artistic techniques used during this period. The researchers found that the artist used patterns drawn from life in brief sittings, which were circulated between workshops as approved likenesses.
While we can't say for certain whether Elizabeth I herself commissioned this portrait, it certainly seems too much of a coincidence for it not to be a response to rumors circulating at the time. The discovery is set to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Hever Castle, titled Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn.
For centuries, the image of Anne Boleyn has been subject to myth and misconception. But this new analysis offers a glimpse into the truth behind one of history's most infamous portraits - and reveals that sometimes, it is the smallest details that can hold the greatest significance.
Apparently, there was this artist who deliberately included a "visual rebuttal" to those nasty rumors about her having a sixth finger on her right hand 
It's crazy to think that people would go around spreading such baseless gossip back in the day! 
And now we know that it was actually done by the artist to defend Anne's reputation and her daughter Elizabeth's claim to the throne. 
The fact that they used a pattern called "B" to counter those rumors is just mind-blowing 
The fact that Elizabeth I herself may not have commissioned the portrait but it still seems too suspicious to be a coincidence is just so cool 
. The fact that it was done in such a subtle way is genius – like, the artist was all "hey, we're gonna make this cool pattern 'B' and then twist it to show five fingers instead" 
. And now we get to see this hidden underdrawing, which is just so cool 
. It's like uncovering a secret message in a portrait! I'm definitely going to check out the upcoming exhibition at Hever Castle – can't wait to learn more about Anne Boleyn and her daughter Elizabeth I 
It was like the sky was on fire! And you know what really got me thinking? The colors of the sunset reminded me of this one painting my grandma used to have - it's so old, I'm pretty sure it's older than the Hever portrait 
But what struck me was how the artist captured the subtleties of light and shadow. I mean, can you imagine having to paint by candlelight? 
. The fact that this was done in a way that would've been visible even back then, using a specific pattern, is mind-blowing 
. It's also a great reminder of how art can be used as a tool for both beauty and subversion. The discovery of this hidden detail sheds new light on the historical context and shows us that sometimes the smallest details can hold the biggest significance 
those "visual rebuttals" are actually a reminder that the truth can be complex, multifaceted, and open to interpretation. it's easy to get caught up in the drama of history, but sometimes it's the most unlikely details that hold the greatest significance...
. And can we talk about how this discovery shows us the power of art in shaping our perceptions of people? It's like, the portrait wasn't just a representation of Anne Boleyn, but also a way to fight back against negative narratives 
. This is such an exciting time for history buffs and art lovers alike 
!
. I'm so down for an exhibit all about it 
!
and i'm still laughing about how its paw was literally half-way between the keys lol anyway back to anne boleyn - what's with all these myths surrounding her tho? like six fingers is pretty wild but idk how much it would've affected people's perception of her as a queen 
idk how i feel about elizabeth I comin up as a suspect though - was she really behind it or did shes just got some major PR skills 
. like what's next gonna be? claiming they had a third eye or something 
.
The myth was just that... a myth 
[Split Image: Anne Boleyn's portrait with 6 fingers, and the same portrait without] 
Like, she's the one who commissioned the portrait as a rebuttal to all those nasty rumors. It's like she's saying "my mom is not crazy, she's just awesome" 
. This discovery is giving me LIFE 
). It's also a window into the past and a reflection of the societal norms that were at play back then. Can't wait to see this exhibit and learn more about Anne Boleyn's life and legacy