The sculptural nature of clothing at this date can be particularly well conveyed through the portrait bust format. Here the exaggeratedly large padded sleeve-rolls and deeply hollowed pleats of Catherine de’ Medici’s ruff are especially striking from the side. Her jewel-set bodice emphasises the formidable French queen’s love of jewellery. Several pearls owned by her were passed to her daughter-in-law, Mary, Queen of Scots, then subsequently to Queen Elizabeth I, and are believed to survive today in the Imperial State Crown.