09/12/2008 02:37:00

The National Portrait Gallery in London has acquired a rare portrait of the Tudor family.

The piece, which was painted in 1559 by Hans Eworth, depicts Lady Dacre - Mary Neville - and her son - Gregory Baron Dacre - and has been described as "one of the finest works to be painted in Britain in the mid-16th century".

Eworth himself was considered to be the most talented painter working in England following the death of Hans Holbein.

The National Portrait Gallery acquired the portrait for £997,500, following a contribution of £377,500 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, a grant of £200,000 from the Gallery's Portrait Fund, and a gift of £300,000 from The Art Fund. A public appeal for donations also yielded a significant amount for the acquisition.

Sandy Nairne, director of the Gallery, told BBC News: "It is a great acquisition for the nation."

He added: "This powerful painting is unique as one of the earliest surviving double family portraits painted in England and is a remarkable depiction of matriarchal power."

Lady Dacre and her son were important members of the nobility, with close links to court and the seat of power in Tudor England. She was the widow of the 9th Baron Dacre, Thomas, who was executed in 1541and whose titles were forfeited. After re-marrying, Marry continued to campaign for the restoration of honours to her son and sister, whose titles were then restored by Parliament in 1558.

David Barrie, director of The Art Fund, said the painting offered a "fascinating insight" into the drama of High Tudor society.

He said: "It is right that this outstanding painting, one of the best examples of portraiture from the time, is now a permanent jewel in the Gallery's collection."