Adrian Vanson

This Scottish painter worked in oils for the royal court around 1570, leaving a single surviving portrait of George, 5th Lord Seton at age 27. The sitter wears black silk slashed at the sleeves, a ruff collar stiff as a drumhead, and rests one hand on the hilt of a dagger. Look closer at the dagger’s hilt, tiny rubies form a cross. Next tap the dagger’s reflection in the polished silver plate beside it.