Elizabethan Portraiture

This portrait of Queen Elizabeth I instantly visually engaged me when I visited the National Portrait Gallery in London. According to the National Portrait Gallery website it is believed that this painting was 'certainly done from life'. I think this is quite a masculine image of Elizabeth facially, and in the shape of her clothing. However the clothing is very beautiful, ornate and the use of pearls and ostrich feathers is very feminine. The use of the crown in the back corner represents her royalty and nobility. The pearl crown on the top of her head, to me seems slightly ironic as it looks like a wedding tiara and veil, even though she famously was known as the 'Virgin Queen'. The use of golds and heavy embroidery on her clothing is symbolic of her wealth. The National Portrait Gallery website refers to the pendant hanging down from her dress which they believe to have been a gift from the painter. Elizabeth has very pale skin and rosy lips, her eyebrows are also very sparse. All of these characteristics represent wealth and nobility. It is believed however through the use of technology that originally her skin was a lot more rosy and her dress was more rich with colour and the age of the painting has caused some of the colour to fade. Her facial expression is very straight, almost stern looking which may have been to show that she is a strong and independent woman.

I Bought This Postcard Of Queen Elizabeth I In The National Portrait Gallery