Research: Elizabethan Portraits

Elizabeth had many portraits of herself in the Tudor times. She was almost known for them. Each portrait was very detailed and she often requested certain painters as they would paint her best, almost as if they masked any imperfections, she would make the artist throw the portrait away if she didn't like it. We almost don't have any proof that Elizabeth looked the way she did as paintings she didn't approve of may've shown those imperfections. Elizabeth to me comes across as vein. Portraits had their own fame at this time, they were becoming more and more popular and Elizabeth herself became more and more desirable. The style of portraits developed at this time they were more realistic and elaborate than ever before. Portraits became more popular because of Elizabeth. However, here are a few different and very famous portraits Elizabeth was famous for:


The Rainbow Portrait:

Reference: http://www.andrewgrahamdixon.com/archive/readArticle/245

Here is the first portrait I will be reviewing; The Rainbow Portrait. The photo shows Elizabeth grandly posing with detail all over the painting. She stands with a rainbow in her hand. Elizabeth was fond of her hands and this shows through on each portrait of hers. The outfit is elaborate and expensive looking using rich colours and textures. Elizabeth has accessorise with pears around her hair and neck with lace; these symbolise virginity like the virgin queen. She wears a crown which shows royalty. She wears a ruby in the middle of her chest this signifies the queens heart. She matches the ruby with the rich colours she wears in her dress and also her headpiece which has been woven through to attach to her hair. The main part is the rainbow in this image which is a sign of peace even though her eyes and ears face to the front suggesting that she sees and hears all. The painter was Nicholas Pinyard, the queens favourite painter.

The Pelican Portrait:

Reference: http://www.alaintruong.com/archives/2010/09/14/19060456.html

The Pelican portrait was created in 1575. This is when Elizabeth represented herself to be mother of the people. She wore black, white, red and gold showing her wealthiness within these expensive colours. The 'blackwork' was the embroidery and pattern work which creates lace like patterns. Elizabeth has cherries in her ears in this portraits this could represent her virginity her 'cherry' staying in tackt! The small hole detail in the chest could represent her undying love, mother pelicans will pluck their own chest to feed their babies and could die in the process, this is the representation of Elizabeth having undying love for her people.


The Phoenix Portrait:

Reference: http://www.elizabethfiles.com/elizabeth-i-phoenix-portrait/3945/

In the Phoenix portrait, Elizabeth is shown holding flowers with flower buds all over her costume. She wears a ruff and her hair has an almost invisible type crown on it. She was unmarried at the time and this was her status. A phoenix is a mythological bird which never dies after years consumed by fire and it will be reborn. This could symbolise Elizabeths uniqueness. Nicholas Hilliard was the painter for this image, he painted in miniature. 'He was bred a goldsmith, applied himself to painting in miniature, in which art he chiefly formed himself upon the smaller pieces of Holbein, but never rose to all their excellence.' (James Granger-A biographical history of England, adapted to a methodical Volume 1)


The Ermine Portrait:

In 1585 this portrait was created. An Ermine is a symbol of royalty, an animal of the weasel family with pure white fur, if you closely look at the animal you see the crown it wears. Theres symbolic gravity of the colour black, an expensive colour to create. She wore the famous 3 brothers jewel in the portrait with a sawd of state which resembles justice, almost as if Elizabeth is ready to defend her realm at all costs. The three brothers jewel is made of 'a gem made of three diamonds set in a triangle arounds a pointed diamond. It was one of her most treasured jewels.' -Reference: (photo and quote) http://www.gogmsite.net/the_late_farthingale_era_fr/minialbum_queen_elizabeth_o/1585_ermine_portrait_by_nic.html


The Sieve Portrait

Here Elizabeth is seen to be holding a sieve in her hand. Her hands are elegantly placed in the photo; as we know Elizabeth was fond of her own hands. She wears black, the expensive and most mysterious colour to wear. It looks like Elizabeth has silk around her which was an extreemly expensive fabric too. The sieve is showing Elizabeth reaching back to Ancient women. Its used to glorify Elizabeths virginity. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Metsys_Elizabeth_I_The_Sieve_Portrait_c1583.jpg


The Book Portrait:

Here shows Elizabeth in 1546 as a young Princess. Her skin pale with no imperfections showing through wearing a grand and graceful red and gold royal gown. She wears pearls around her neck which symbolise purity. She holds a book which is from her brother, her fingers are saving a page as if shes just been reading the book as if shes very interested in it which would have pleased her brother. She wears a very elegant dress for someone at such a young age. The painter was Willam Scorts. Reference: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337774/Is-proof-Virgin-Queen-imposter-drag-Shocking-new-theory-Elizabeth-I-unearthed-historic-manuscripts.html

I found it really interesting analysing Elizabthian portraits and feel that in our time today we don't ever see portraits done like this. Now we show objects which symbolise wealth in a different way; handbags, shoes, designer clothing, cars accessories, dogs, phones and engagement rings!

Here shows a recent photo of Scarlett Johannsan. She wears a sun kissed glow which symbolises wealth; she is able to have time to sit out in the sun or have a spray tan or go on lots of holidays. She wears many gems in her necklace showing wealth as well as her designer off the shoulder low cut dress. She appears to be on the red carpet which shows fame and popularity, winning awards etc. But the main focus I can see is her shining white smile and the rock of an engagement ring! Most celebrities have a shiny white smile which is expensive to achieve. The diamons on her hand would cost astonishing amounts but this shows her wealth and richness of todays society. I find it interesting how the opposite features were popular in Elizabethan times, pale skin is no longer very desirable as people want a tan. She had no chance of having any surgery/fillers/implants like todays celebrities are very known to have. Reference: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-galleries/2010/04/20/celebrity-engagement-rings#!image-number=14