Mary Shelton was a cousin of Anne Boleyn and part of the circle of courtiers who surrounded the queen. She later married Sir Anthony Heveningham, the name by which she is identified in the inscription on the drawing.

This is one of the most meticulously worked of Holbein’s drawings. Particular care has been taken with the features, with tiny lines indicating the modelling of the nose. White is used to bring out Shelton’s eyes and the pearl on the pendant at her neck.