Portrait of Anthony Mildmay. Anthony Mildmay of Apethorpe Palace, Northamptonshire, served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire from 1584 to 1586.
He is portrayed in art primarily through an elegant portrait by artist Robert Peake the Elder. In this painting, Mildmay is depicted in formal Elizabethan attire, wearing a richly embroidered doublet with a lace collar, emphasizing his status as a prominent courtier and diplomat of the time.
His stance, holding a ceremonial sword and wearing the sash of the Order of the Garter, highlights his noble rank and the esteem in which he was held at court. The portrait reflects the dignity, wealth, and courtly sophistication associated with his role in late Elizabethan society.
A miniature of Mildmay by Nicholas Hilliard, held in the National Maritime Museum, presents him as a distinguished and refined Elizabethan courtier. Hilliard, known for his intricate portrait miniatures, captures Mildmay in elaborate armor, symbolizing his military status and knighthood.
The detailed work emphasizes his noble bearing, with a lace collar and a polished breastplate that reflect his role in the Queen’s service. This portrait, like many of Hilliard's miniatures, focuses on both personal identity and the ideals of chivalric honor, presenting Mildmay as a loyal and accomplished figure in Elizabethan England. The miniature of Anthony Mildmay by Nicholas Hilliard, held in the Nation