Melancholic, Painted Scheme, Bolsover Castle Melancholic, Painted Scheme, Bolsover Castle

This portrait, like the other in this room, is adapted from the Maerten de Vos series of the temperaments. In this portrait William and Elizabeth are thought to be depicted. Hidden within the portrait are clues to their lives.

In this close up an open book is laid out on the table. In the first word of the second paragraph on the left-hand side reads ‘William’. As this painting appears in the first room, this insight suggests that the visitor should read William in all the paintings.