Elizabeth Ist and her Portraits

Hey Guys,

SO today ( the 7th of September) is Elizabeth the 1st birthday. She for those of you who are familiar was a Tudor monarch who ruled England from 1558-1603. I think that although she did have some flaws she was a pretty great monarch, especially in the style department. Therefore i wanted to share with you today some of my favourite portraits of Elizabeth and even analyse a couple.

1. The Coronation Portrait.

This portrait is one of my absolute favourite of hers, you might have seen glimpses in the latest drama series about Victoria. I don't know why i love this portrait so much but i just love how apologetically regal she looks, painted in full garb with orb, sceptre and crown she is basically sticking a middle finger up at anyone who doesn't believe women can rule and is proving that she is every inch a queen. 

2. 

This is one of the earliest full portraits of just Elizabeth and is one of the first portraits i saw. David Starkey did a really interesting analysis of this portrait as he said she is of course with the bible open behind her and her hand marking the place in a book showing scholarly and pious attributes. But he pointed out the french hood pushed back, the bed canopy open behind her and her intense eyes remind or have hints at her mother's provocative nature. 

3. 

Now this is one of her lesser known portraits. Now, you might be wondering, what on earth is in her hands... Which is a wooden sieve. Basically like the pearls Elizabeth always wore, this sieve is another image of virginal status, as it comes from a story when a women showed her purity by carrying water in a sieve and none came out. ( Or so I believe). Therefore this portrait shows how obvious Elizabeth's imagery can be, literally the sieve is the only focal point of this portrait so it like she is highlighting to everyone "Look How pure i am..."

4.

The rainbow portrait. This is one of my favourite portraits of Elizabeth, because i feel it is a portrait of her just throwing shade across all of her courtiers. Elizabeth here, is wearing a gown covered in eyes and ears, which translates as saying she can hear and see all in the country. Not only that but this portrait is full of symbolism, the snake on her sleeve represents wisdom, it has a heart in its mouth showing Elizabeth lets wisdom rule her heart. She is also holding a rainbow (hence the rainbow portrait) which implies peace, showing that she is literally holding peace and prosperity. 

5. 

Lastly, the infamous Armada portrait. The crown, hand on the globe, scenes of the Armada being destroyed and her fantastic gown all scream images of royalty and queen-ship. The still image links to the medals which had the phrase: "God blew and the where scattered" as it shows the English fleet serenely sitting on still water. The fan is a classic Elizabeth symbol of royalty and elegance. 

hope you enjoyed this little post full of portraits,

Enjoy, Love,

LadyoftheRivers x