Ralph Symons

1583–1605) was an English mason and architect known for his work at the University of Cambridge in the reign of Elizabeth I.

In 1584, Symons designed the first portion of Emmanuel College, Cambridge for Sir Walter Mildmay.

The portrait was long known only from a post-1630 copy at Emmanuel College, a drawing in chalks by Thomas Kerrich (1748-1828) from the original, and an 1803 printed stipple and line engraving of the Kerrich drawing by Georg Siegmund Facius (captioned "From an original Picture which was in the/ possession of the late Mr. Essex at Cambridge").

[3][4][6] In March 2016, the art dealers Philip Mould & Co. announced the discovery of the "lost" painting in Turin, Italy.

The portrait shows Symons in a leather jerkin holding a pair of architect's compasses.