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Article
A Safavid ambassadress in Rome: the last testament of Teresa Sampsonia Shirley
03/2025 | 1464 | 167
Pages: 218–27
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related names
Author:
Brown-Hedjazi, Alexandria (Brown-Hedjazi, Alexandria)
Subjects
artists:
Dyck, Anthony van / Hoskins, John
dates:
1600-1699
patrons:
Shirley, Teresa Sampsonia / Shirley, Robert
places:
Persia / Rome
subjects:
Wills / Funerary art / Carmelites / Safavid / Churches
Illustrations
Attributed works:
1. Last testament of Teresa Sampsonia Shirley, showing the witness signatures and seals. 1668. (Archivio di Stato di Roma, 30 Notai Capitolini, Officio 23, 1668 Maggio, fol.279r; Photograph the author).
Attributed works:
10. A lady called Teresia Sampsonia Shirley, by John Hoskins. 1620s. Watercolour on vellum. (Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Nottinghamshire; Bridgeman Images).
Attributed works:
2. Teresa, or Teresia Sampsonia, Lady Shirley, by Anthony Van Dyck. c.1622. Oil on canvas, 214 by 129 cm. (Petworth House; © NTPL; photograph Derrick E. Witty).
Attributed works:
3. Sir Robert Shirley, by Anthony Van Dyck. c.1622. Oil on canvas, 214 by 129 cm. (Petworth House; © NTPL; photograph Derrick E. Witty).
Attributed works:
4. Pre-printed template for visitors to the hospital adjoining S. Maria Egiziaca, Rome. 1664. (Archivio del Pontificio Collegio Armeno, fondo S. Maria Egiziaca, Rome, Giustificativi dei pagamenti 1656–1673; courtesy Pontificio Collegio Armeno; photograph C. Santus).
Attributed works:
6. Frontispiece from Girolamo Rocchi: Funerale della Signora Sitti Maani Gioerida della Valle, Rome 1627. (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New Haven).
Attributed works:
7. Sketch of Lady Shirley, by Anthony van Dyck. 1622. Pen and brown ink on paper, 19.9 by 15.1 cm. (British Museum, London).
Attributed works:
9. Detail of Fig.1, rotated 180 degrees, showing the wax seal attached to Sampsonia’s last testament. (Photograph the author).
Western art unattributed:
5. Tombstone of Sampsonia and Robert Shirley, S. Maria della Scala, Rome. (Photograph the author).
Western art unattributed:
8. Detail of Fig.5, showing the Safavid Rampant Lion. (Photograph the author).