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"Queen Elizabeth I and the 3 Goddesses"

Artist: Attr. Isaac Oliver

watercolour and bodycolour on vellum  c. 1590

Not much is known about the commission of this painting however it is a prime example of the depiction of the Queen’s virtue. The Queen appears to be much younger than she actually is and seems ageless in this portrait, she is also holding a ball in her hands which could also be a representation of her innocence. The Greek connection to goddesses here shows Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, which Elizabeth was considered to be quite beautiful. The goddess of war is also present representing the strong side of Queen and What I believe to be Diana the virgin goddess of women and childbirth.

**DISCLAIMER: THAT INTERPRETATION WAS ALL MY OWN, AS THERE WAS NOT MUCH INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PAINTING. **

Source: < http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw224945/Queen-Elizabeth-I-Elizabeth-I-and-the-Three-Goddesses?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=Elizabeth+i&role=sit&rNo=9>

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Queen Elizabeth I of England 

Artist: anonymous 

Published by: Paul de la Houve

French in origin, sketched in the late 16th, early 17th century

medium: engraving 

 in plate below image: "Cest un miracle rare en l'Europe chrestienne/ De voir Elizabeth la Roine des Anglois, Mais, cest bien plus de voir, que sa grandeur maintienne/ En la paix, les petitz, et les grands, soubs ses lois " . 

this particular piece of artwork is held at the Metropolitan Museum of art, however it is not on display. 

Source: <http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/396416> 

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painted by an unknown English artist. 

This painting was commissioned to commemorate the victory against the Spanish armada. In the larger version of this painting, which can be viewed in the National Portrait Gallery in London, there are storms and wreckage surrounding the Spanish Armada and a clear day and sky surrounding the English ships. 

In the larger picture Elizabeth has her hand covering the Americas this is interpreted as her having dominion over the new world and of the seas as the English had just at that point defeated one of the most powerful countries in Europe in war at sea. 

Source: <http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02077/Queen-Elizabeth-I?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=Elizabeth+i&role=sit&rNo=8>

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The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I 

oil on panel

Painted by an unknown English Artist. It is probably a copy of an original. Can be found at the National Portrait Gallery. 

This portrait depicts the Queen at her coronation. In this portrait the Queen is dressed quite elaborately in golden dress, cloth of gold (the same one worn by her sister Mary I) and holding the septre and orb, both symbols of the monarchy and her authority and right to rule. It is believed that the painting was painted in the year 1600. 

This portrait also shows off the trademark red hair of King Henry VIII, Elizabeth's father putting her legitimacy on display. Those who doubted that she was indeed the King's daughter were to be convinced by Elizabeth''s continued display of her likeness to him. 

Source: <http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02070/Queen-Elizabeth-I?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=Elizabeth+i&role=sit&rNo=12>

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Queen Elizabeth I (The Ditchley Portrait) 

Artist: Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

Oil on canvas circa 1592 

This painting was produced for Sir Henry Lee, who was the Queen's Champion from 1559-1590. It is thought that this portrait was commissioned to commemorate an extravagant entertainment that Lee organized for the Queen. The portrait gets its name from the location at which Lee organized an elaborate entertainment, which was his own home. 

This painting was said to be given to Lee also as a sign of forgiveness for his sin of being unfaithful to his wife. The Queen is standing on Oxfordshire and there is a storm which opens up to the sun shining are clearly sign of the worst to be over and forgiveness or a new day are on the horizon. 

The Latin inscriptions on the side of the painting also lend a hint to the portraits meaning because they say: (left) 'She gives and does not expect'; (right) 'She can but does not take revenge', and (bottom right) 'In giving back she increases 

Source: <http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02079/Queen-Elizabeth-I-The-Ditchley-portrait?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=Elizabeth+i&role=sit&rNo=10>

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Known as the "Darnley portrait" by its former owner, this portrait is of Queen Elizabeth I 

oil on panel circa 1575

Possible that this portrait was painted by a Flemish artist, this painting of Queen Elizabeth I was likely commissioned by a courtier who was close to the Queen.It is believed by some that the pendant was a gift to the Queen from the commissioner of this portrait. This painting is credited as being one of the most accurate depictions of the Queen with the life like features and the realistic display of her age and appearance. Most paintings around this time were painted with young versions of the Queen looking like an ageless virgin. 

Source: <http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02075/Queen-Elizabeth-I?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=Elizabeth+i&role=sit&rNo=5>

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Title: Queen Elizabeth I 

Artist: Nicholas Hilliard 

Oil on panel circa 1575

It is not clear why this painting was commissioned, however one should note that this portrait dates from 1575, about 20 years into the Queen's reign which is why she appears to look older. The Queen was known for being a virgin Queen and it is interesting that there is skin showing. In most of her portraits well into her reign the Queen is seen wearing clothing which covers all of her skin except her face. There are a large amount of pearls in this portrait which symbolize her virtue. 

source: <http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02074/Queen-Elizabeth-I?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=Elizabeth+i&role=sit&rNo=4#sitter>

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Introduction

Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII of England and was known as THE Tudor monarch. She was known for being an absolute powerhouse and this exhibition of art will show how she portrayed her rule to the rest of England and ultimately what her portraits can tell us about her reign. How she presented herself and how she chose to display her power. Most of this collection will be portraits but there will be some pieces of art which were dedicated to her majesty for various reasons such as her victory over the Spanish armada. Recurring themes that show up in portraits of Elizabeth I are definitely her resemblance to her father to solidify her legitimacy which was a constant battle she faced as the daughter of Henry VIII's executed wife Anne Boleyn, also her virtue as she was an unmarried Queen of England.