During her reign, many portraits were painted of Elizabeth 1 and each one holds a vast amount of symbolism throughout them. Her understanding of her image and self marketing to the public lead to a propaganda campaign and the creation of the 'cult of Elizabeth', she was an icon and the loyalty of the people in buying into this image that she created throughout the symbolism of her portraits lead her popularity to grow. This is clear from many portraits being miniature so that they could be given to people and worn as jewellery such as necklaces. Many of the portraits that Elizabeth had painted were destroyed as she didn't like them or they did not fit the image that she had created.
What did Elizabeth 1 actually look like?
Elizabeth 1 was 5'4, making her taller than most women and the average mans height during that time, this itself symbolic of her power and status. Her skin was blemished through having small pox and burned by the use of lead oxide makeup. Her teeth were black through decay (thought to be why she did not smile in portraits) which actually became a trend, again proving her iconic status, also causing her to have halitosis.
However, in many portraits you can not tell Elizabeth's age, as we are not seeing a realistic version of her but simply a rendition and the artists interpretation.
The main symbolic features that portraits of Elizabeth include are a symbolism of chastity and purity. This has been portrayed in two different ways in her portraits. For example in portraits where Elizabeth has her hair loose and styled down symbolises her unmarried status and therefore her virginity and where her hair has been styled up and out of her face which symbolises her being 'married to England' this was something the public bought into 100%, they liked the idea of her being available and then not available but dedicated to ruling England.
The Armada Portrait.
Unknown English artist, previously attributed to George Gower. C.1588.
This portrait was painted after beating the Spanish Armada and symbolises Elizabeth's power. Although Elizabeth is wearing a head dress the portrait shows a crown to the left hand side of her, which again represents her status. The fact that Elizabeth is holding the globe with her hand over America, Spain's source of gold could symbolise her future intentions as England had just beaten the Spanish Armada. Behind Elizabeth there are painting of English and Spanish ships, the English ships are sailing fine whereas the Spanish ships are crashing into the rocks. This symbolises a sense of mocking towards Spain. Her dress is covered in pearls and bows which symbolise her purity whilst the dress is black which symbolises her wealth as black fabric was expensive to produce. This applies to the red in the background as whilst being expensive to produce, it also needed cochineal to achieve the colour, which is sourced in Spain, this again symbolising her mocking of the Spanish.
The Rainbow Portrait by Isaac Oliver C.1600
This portrait is one of the most popular paintings of Elizabeth 1. It is elaborate and inventive as you can not tell her age, she is in her late 60's in this portrait yet you can not tell which symbolises that she is seen as never ageing and immortal. Her gown is embroided with English wild flowers and eyes and ears which symbolise that she sees and hears everything. This portrait is filled with symbolism, the jewelled serpent featured on Elizabeth's dress symbolises wisdom and the fact that the serpent is holding a ruby in it's mouth represents the fact that her wisdom controls her emotions. The pose that Elizabeth has adopted in this portrait is a virgin from English literature again symbolising her virginity. This is supported by her head dress featuring pearls and ruby's, the pearls represent chastity and purity while the ruby's represent her heart and passion. The crown that Elizabeth is wearing features a crescent shaped jewel which symbolises the goddess of the moon. Elizabeth is holding a rainbow in her right hand which represents peace and features a latin enscription that states 'there is no rainbow without rain' which symbolises that her wisdom holds peace and prosperity.
The Pelican Portrait. Nicholas Hilliard C. 1575
This portrait of Elizabeth also features many devices to present messages to the audience. Firstly the portrait features the tudor rose. This I believe holds a deep message as this symbolises Elizabeth's right to the throne and the 'Tudor dynasty' as she is seen as the 'bastard Queen' due to her Mother. This feature also holds religious symbolism as it represents the virgin Mary therefore Elizabeth is representing herself as the successor of virgin Mary. Much like the other portraits, this one features pearls to symbolise chastity and virginity. The use of black, white, red and gold symbolise wealth and expense. Bright colours were dyed with cochineal and were expensive to produce, again symbolising the wealthy people of a high status. The Queen is also wearing cherries in her ears, again symbolising her virginity.However the main symbolism in this painting is the use of the pelican emblem which features many associations that Elizabeth took on. For example the emblem symbolises love as it was a myth that Mother pelicans would pluck their breasts to feed their starving young and would die in the process, this symbolises the Queen's undying love for England. The pelican emblem holds medieval connotations and Christ's sacrifice of dying on the cross, which again symbolises the fact that Elizabeth would do anything for her country.
The Phoenix Portrait. Nicholas Hilliard
This portrait was again painted by Nicholas Hilliard, one of Elizabeth's favourite artists and much like any other portrait features a range of symbolism throughout. Firstly the phoenix is a mythological bird that never dies but lives 500 years and is then reborn. This symbolises resurrection, endurance and eternal life. Also there is only one phoenix at a time which symbolises Elizabeth's originality and uniqueness. Her dress is again covered in pearls, symbolising purity and features black and gold, a symbol of being of high status and wealth.
The Ermine Portrait. Nicholas Hilliard
This portrait's symbolism is mainly the animal on Elizabeth's right arm and the sword resting just next to her. The animal is a symbol of majesty, royalty and purity and the sword is the Three Brothers Sewel which symbolises fate and peacefully ruling but being prepared to defend the realm. Finally once again Elizabeth's dress is black and gold, a symbolism of wealth and high status.
The Sieve Portrait C.1583
This is yet another portrait that holds many examples of symbolism. For instance the sieve that Elizabeth is holding in her right hand is a symbol of purity and virginity, something that she portrays in every portrait of herself. This is yet another way that she has chosen to glorify her virginity and also associates England with a Roman tribute.
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