Portraits and their symbolism
The Rainbow Portrait at Hatfield, www.spector.co.uk, 1600 viewed 19.10.15, (digital image)
In this portrait Elizabeth's dress is printed with eyes and ears, this symbolises her power; she sees and hears all, she also has a servant on her left arm, this is a symbol of wisdom, the heart shaped ruby in the mouth of the snake is her heart, in this image she also is wearing many pearls which symbolise her purity. In this portrait her hair is down and is softer around her face this may also be a sign of her virginity.
The sieve portrait, file-metsysenwikepedia.org, (digital image), viewed 19.10.15
This is called the sieve portrait as Elizabeth is holding a sieve which symbolises purity and chastity; she claims to have walked with the sieve holding water without spilling a drop. She is also wearing pearls, this also is a sign of virginity. Her crown and ruff symbolise royalty. Her clothes and pale skin also show her royalty and wealth.
The Armada Portrait, history.parkfieldict.co.uk viewed 19.10.15, (digital image)
In this portrait Elizabeths hand is resting on a globe, with her fingers over South America, this is to show where she wants to concur next. Other symbolism in this portrait shows her royalty, the crown by her side, her many ribbons and the ruff on her dress, her pearls symbolise her virginity and purity, in all her paintings she shows this through the amount of pearls she wears; around her neck, in her hair, down and around her dress intertwining with the ribbons. The portraits in the background show Spain on her right and England on her left, this symbolises her power over the countries.Her pale face and skin in this portrait also shows her royalty, and status.
The Pelican Portrait, theelizabethanfiles.com, Thought to have been painted by Nicholas Hillard, 1574/1575, Faded over time, viewed 19.10.15, (digital image)
The two imperial crowns; one is sitting on top of the Tudor rose, and the other on the Fleur de lys, this is to symbolise Elizabeths power over England and France. She is also wearing a Pelican pendent, this is to symbolise her selfless love for her people, considered a mothers love because according to legend a pelican would pluck her own breast to feed her blood to her dying young. The colours of her gown in this portrait show her wealth, she is wearing red black gold and white; red dye was made form cochineal, this was very expensive and saved for those with lots of money, black was also a very expensive colour to wear. Holding the tudor rose implies she is referring back to her Tudor roots and her right to the English thrown. Her pearls again also symbolise her purity snd chastity. She has cherry earrings, this may be to symbolise her virginity.
The pelican, www.npg.org.uk (digital image)viewed 19.10.15
The phoenix, www.npg.org.uk (digital image) viewed 19.10.15
This symbolises her uniqueness and longevity; only one phoenix lives at a time, symbolises resurrection, endurance and eternal life.
The Ermine Portrait, 1585, painted by William Segar/Nicholas Hillard (digital image) viewed 19.10.15,Portraits of Queen Elizabeth The First, Part 2: Portraits 1573-1587
In this portrait again Elizabeth is wearing number of pearls decorated throughout her hair, this symbolises her virginity, her crown and jewels show her wealth, royalty and power. Although this portrait has faded her dress was a strong black, this was a very expensive dye and proves her wealth and royalty, it also symbolises the seriousness of this portrait and her rein. She had a love for beauty and fashion, this is shown through her elaborate dresses and cosmetic practices. There is a sword paced beside the Queen, this symbolises justice, the olive branch symbolises peace and the ermine on her arm symbolises purity from it sure white colouring. According to legend an ermine would rather die then destroy its coat.
Image of Helena von Snakenborg, Marchioness of Northampton
Portraits on pinterest, URL www.pinterest.com, 20/10/2015 (digital image) Image of Helena von Snakenborg, Marchioness of Northampton.) Aged 21 by an unknown artist, 1569 englishhistoryauthors.blogspot
The carnation above her left ear is a symbol of betrothal, the oak leaves behind it symbolises constancy, the red roses on her sleeves and jewels in the shape of white roses on her cap make up the red and white Tudor rose symbol the loyalty to Queen Elizabeth I.
This portrait stood out to me amongst the rest because her dress with small cuffs and the small ruff around her neck and her hat seem masculine, compared to the fashion inspired by Elizabeth and worn by royalty of that era. Her skin was pale and portrayed to be inspired by the makeup practices of Elizabeth; pink cheeks, white face, pink lips and pale eyebrows.
