Citizen Portrait: Portrait Painting and the Urban Elite of Tudor and Jacobean England and Wales

The book explores the shift in portraiture from being an exclusive privilege of the elite to becoming accessible to the urban middle class in the late 16th century. It highlights how this change allowed merchants, lawyers, and other professionals to gain social visibility, reflecting the evolving dynamics of class and identity in English society. As portraiture became more widespread, it not only represented individuals but also signified the growing importance of the middle class and their contributions to culture and industry.