Symbolism Within Queen Elizabeth I's Portraits

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The Rainbow Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I

c.1600-1602

Attributed to Issac Oliver (1556-1617)

Oil on canvas

127 × 99.1 cm (50 × 39 in)

I found this portrait very interesting as you can see there are eyes and ears drew on the cloak and this symbolise that Elizabeth I sees and also hears what's happening and what's going on in her kingdom (wars). On her sleeve, it is decorated with serpent which is a symbol of wisdom. There is a heart-shaped ruby within the serpent's mouth and the ruby presents Elizabeth I's heart. The reason why the ruby (Elizabeth's heart) is in the serpent's mouth is because it symbolise how Elizabeth's heart was controlled by her wisdom. Elizabeth's right hand holds an image of a rainbow and it symbolise a latin phrase ' Non sine sole iris' and in English is 'No rainbow without the sun' which presents there will be peace as long as Elizabeth I rules the kingdom. The dress is decorated with spring flowers which allows Elizabeth to portray Astraea.

The rainbow portrait was drawn when Elizabeth was about 60 years old and as you can see, she still looks very young and ageless which shows her image of being a 'Fairy Queen'. The crescent shaped jewel that Elizabeth wore around the neck which represents goddess of the moon, symbolise feminine authority within the portrait. On this portrait, Elizabeth has got curly frizzy ginger hairstyle and the hair was half up and half down (maybe to show her virginity). The hairstyle was highly decorated with jewels such as pearls to show purity and wealth. She also wears a clown to show royalty and power.

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The Ermine Portrait of Queen Elizabeth Ic.1585
By Nicholas Hilliard

Elizabeth I likes black, white, red and gold colour because it symbolise her status. The ermine on the portrait is a symbol of royalty and chastity and in the portrait, the ermine wears a golden crown on its neck which presents purity and majesty. The olive branch that Elizabeth holds symbolise peace and the sword on the table represents justice. The dark background stands out the black and the expensive golden work, beads and gems on the gown that Elizabeth wears in the portrait. Elizabeth wears the 'Three Brothers' jewel which was one of her favourite jewels. It is a gem that made of three diamonds with a triangle shape. Big gowns in Elizabethan era symbolise high status, wealth and also symbol of purity. On this portrait, Elizabeth's hair features a heart shape and middle-parting. The heart shape was created by the use of padding and it was decorated with pearls which shows purity and wealth and she also wear a crown which symbolise royalty.


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Sieve Portrait of Queen Elizabeth
1583
Oil on panel
By Quentin Metsys the Younger

In this portrait, Queen Elizabeth is holding a sieve which symbolise purity and chastity and also presents Elizabeth's image as the 'Virgin Queen'. The black and white colour on Elizabeth clothes emphasise her positions of power and because black fabric and blackwork were so expensive in the Elizabethan era, it also shows the high status and wealth throughout the portrait. On the globe behind Elizabeth on the right, the ships are crossing west which symbolise England's conquest of the New world and the globe is often used in a portrait to show defeated countries or the allies of the British empire.The column in the background of the portrait was adorned with golden imperial crown at it's base which symbolise Elizabeth's majesty. The roundels depict the story of Aeneas and Dido. Queen Elizabeth is often compared to the character of Aeneas because although Elizabeth has been tempted by marriage, but she refuses at the end and being a strong female figure who rules her kingdom. On this portrait, Elizabeth features curly frizzy hair and she wears a elaborately decorated pillow box hat. The pillow box hat was decorated with black, gold and white colour which shows wealth, nobility and power. 

 

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The Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
circa. 1588
by an unknown artist

This portrait was painted when Elizabeth was around 55 years old and she still looks youthful. She poses powerfully and the big clothes symbolise the wealth, high status and purity. In the portrait, the pearls that Elizabeth wears is Robert Dudley's last gift to Elizabeth and it has a very special meaning to her. The pearls symbolise purity and wealth in the Elizabethan era. This portrait also features the globe as well, like 'the Sieve Portrait'. But this time, Elizabeth's hand is on the globe and her fingers are extending to other parts of the globe which symbolises that Elizabeth's power is far reaching.

The egg shaped object in front of the window symbolise rebirth, fertility, eternal life, prosperity, generosity and union. Outside the windows are the scene where on the left window is the arrival of the Armada and on the right window is the defeat of the Armada. This portrait could also been seen to describe Elizabeth's success at protecting the nation from Spanish invasion. The crown on the left of the portrait symbolise royalty and majesty. The large bows on Elizabeth's clothes symbolise virginity in this portrait. Elizabeth's hair features a heart shape which was done through the use of padding and it is decorated with pearls which shows purity and wealth. She wears a crown to show royalty and power and it is decorated with feather (maybe to show high status).