Posthumosity

Following an unsuccessful attempt to claim the throne, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth was beheaded on July 15, 1685. It is said that it took multiple blows of the axe to separate his head from his body. After which, the head was stuck on a pike at the Stone Gateway, as was the custom for traitors.

According to legend, someone realized after the execution that there was no official portrait of the Duke - for a son of a King, and someone who had claimed the throne, albeit in vain, this was unheard of.

So two days after his execution, his body was exhumed, his head stitched back on his body, and he was thusly posed for his portrait to be painted. Painted in a hurry.

The veracity of this story is seriously debated, but THIS PORTRAIT EXISTS. The story still on active rotation among the Beefeaters at the Tower of London, as it was told to one of our regular readers.

But where can we view this portrait up close?

Apparently, it does reside at London's National Portrait Gallery... but is NOT available for public viewing! As Jenny relates it to me, the portrait is hung in the NPG's offices, inaccessible to the masses.

When she was told the portrait was hidden away from the public, Jenny tried to muscle her way through to a viewing, even using her MoMA credentials. The museum official gave no quarter.

The portrait is named,

Unknown man, formerly known as James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch
by Unknown artist
The museum official maintained that the story behind the painting is most likely a fabrication.

If so, why is it hidden away, National Portrait Gallery? Why are you acting so goddamned suspicious?

Believe it... OR NOT!