A Victorian oil painting by artist Henry Gillard Glindoni holds a chilling secret beneath its surface—a hidden ring of skulls surrounding the central figure, John Dee. The painting, which features Queen Elizabeth I observing Dee as he performs an alchemical experiment, captures the mystique and complexity of one of the most enigmatic men in Tudor England. Recent x-ray imaging commissioned for an exhibition at the Royal College of Physicians has revealed that Glindoni initially painted Dee surrounded by human skulls, only to later conceal them with paint. This haunting detail speaks volumes about how John Dee was perceived across different centuries.

The Scholar, the Spy, and the Occultist

John Dee was no ordinary courtier. Advisor, astrologer, and confidant to Queen Elizabeth I, he was widely regarded as one of the most learned men of his era. As Jason Louv notes in his book, The Angelic Reformation: John Dee, Enochian Magick & the Occult Roots of Empire, Dee translated Euclid’s Elements, introducing English readers to mathematical symbols like +, -, x, and ÷. His intellect was so revered that Shakespeare allegedly based the character of Prospero in The Tempest on him.

But John Dee’s influence extended beyond mathematics and literature. He played a crucial role in shaping early British intelligence, signing letters to the queen with two circles and the number seven—a symbol that would later inspire Ian Fleming’s 007 codename for James Bond. Dee’s legacy was as multifaceted as his interests, straddling the lines between science, espionage, and mysticism.

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Conversations with Angels

Despite his many scientific contributions, John Dee was deeply immersed in the occult. He believed he could communicate with angels through a black obsidian scrying mirror and worked closely with Edward Kelley, a medium who claimed to see these celestial beings. Together, they developed a unique language—Enochian—which Dee believed was spoken by angels. Their spiritual pursuits, however, attracted suspicion and criticism, particularly from the Catholic Church.

These esoteric beliefs and practices only added to the intrigue surrounding John Dee. To some, he was a visionary. To others, a heretic. This dual perception is perhaps why Glindoni’s painting initially included a ring of skulls. According to Katie Birkwood, curator of the Royal College of Physicians’ exhibition Scholar, courtier, magician: the lost library of John Dee, the skulls were later painted over at the request of the artwork’s patron, who likely found them too unsettling.

Rediscovering Dee’s Lost Library

The exhibition not only sheds light on John Dee’s mystique but also showcases over 100 surviving books from his once-massive library of more than 3,000 volumes. Many of these books bear Dee’s personal notes and inscriptions. For instance, one mathematics book contains a Latin note referencing Dee’s stay under house arrest with Edmund Bonner, the infamous bishop of London.

This period of confinement followed the interception of a letter Dee wrote to Elizabeth, predicting the end of Queen Mary Tudor’s reign. Although he avoided charges of treason, Dee was placed in Bonner’s custody. Whether the two men got along remains unclear, but Dee’s sarcastic or sincere note adds another layer of mystery to his story. When Elizabeth eventually ascended the throne, Dee returned to favor at court.

The Man Behind the Mirror

Glindoni’s painting, stripped of its original ring of skulls, presents a sanitized image of John Dee. But beneath the paint lies a darker narrative—one that reflects Victorian England’s fascination with death and the occult.

“Glindoni had to make it look like what we now see, which is august and serious, from what it was, which was occult and spooky,” says Birkwood. “That epitomizes the two different impressions of Dee which people have and the fight between them.”

Dee’s legacy has swung between admiration and ridicule. After Elizabeth’s death, he was often dismissed as a deluded mystic. But modern scholars are re-evaluating his contributions to science, espionage, and esoteric knowledge. The rediscovery of his hidden library and the x-ray revelations of Glindoni’s painting are helping to restore a more balanced view of John Dee’s place in history.

Why John Dee Still Matters

John Dee’s story is more than just a historical curiosity; it offers insight into how science, religion, and politics were deeply intertwined during the Renaissance. His life serves as a powerful reminder of the thin line between genius and madness, between revered scholar and dangerous heretic.

By examining Dee’s works, both written and visual, modern audiences gain a richer understanding of a man who dared to explore the unknown. Whether decoding mathematical theorems, advising monarchs, or attempting to converse with angels, John Dee embodied the boundless curiosity and complexity of the human spirit.

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