Queen’s cook finally revealed as face of painting

But new research has revealed it is actually a portrait of John Smythson, master cook to Queen Elizabeth I.

The subject’s identity had been suggested when conservation work in the 1940s revealed Smythson’s coat of arms, although this information was lost until research by Alan Borg, author of A Worshipful Company of Cooks, re-identified the sitter.

The discovery has nonetheless prompted further questions about how the painting came to be in the city’s possession, although Smythson, who lived in Kent, had family roots in Yorkshire.

The National Portrait Gallery is now understood to be interested in the picture, which is on display in Hull’s Hands on History Museum, based in the former school, a Tudor building constructed in 1583.

It taught some of the city’s most famous sons and former pupils include 17th century metaphysical poet Andrew Marvell, and anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.

Assistant curator Susan Capes said: “We were delighted to discover this painting was of such an interesting Tudor personality. It’s yet another example of how rich the heritage of Hull’s museum collections is.

“All of our sites have hidden gems within them and all are free entry.”