Elizabethan Portraiture and Symbolism

The picture is very engaging because the blue rose is not typical and makes you want to analyze the image further as roses are commonly red and associated with love, passion and lust. Whereas the rose has been edited in a way that symbolises something more mystirious and intriguing. The shade of blue is royal blue and contrasts against her skin making it very bold. Blue is a cold color which is often associated with emotions such as sadness and pain, this is reflected in the image as there is blood dripping from her mouth. This highlights the fact that the rose is perhaps causing her pain however the way she is posing shows that she is not afraid of the pain. The dominant colour in this particular image is also blue which is shown in the background and her eyes which again highlights the significance of the rose being blue. The garments which she appears to be wearing is black with a lace/shiffon type material that could be seen as something which is worn at funerals which again symbolises this idea of sadness. The intensity of the black is also contrasted with her bold eye make up which adds fierceness to this image. The only warm colour used is the red from the blood, and often warm colours is typically associated with happiness but in this context it adds to the coldness as it is quite unsettling. Interestingly even though in my opinion this image is portraying pain and perhaps evilness, it is also quite relaxing as the paleness of her face is very pure. This gives a sense of calmness and peace which in effect juxstaposes with the idea behind the blue rose piercing her lip and causing her pain.

     The Elizabethan portraits are full of Renaissance and Symbolism. Not only Queen's portraits, but also of other people from Elizabethan times.

The Sieve portraits

 For example in one her portraits Elizabeth has a sieve in her left hand. The sieve is the symbol of purity as she was The Virgin Queen.

The painting is like other works of this period, rife with allegory.According to Roman legend, a Virgin could carry water in a sieve, making it a logical symbol of the Virgin Queen. The globe on the upper left represents England's role in the age of exploration. The Latin motto above it- "Tutto vedo&Molto Mancha" means-" I see everything and much is lacking", signifying Elizabeth's leadership in imperial expansion.

Armada Portrait

This portrait is full of symbolism:

Pearls- like her mother befor her, Elizabeth loved pearls and in her portraits pearls symbolise purity and virginity. The pearls had an important meaning to Elizabeth as it is said that the pearls were the last Dudley's gift.

Ruff- her ruff frames her face as the rays of the sun

Window scenes- in the window of the left side of the painting there is the arrival of the Armada and then on the right there is the defeat of the Armada. This portrait could be seen as a tribute to Elizabeth's success of protecting the nation from Spanish invasion or there could be seen a areligious meaning: perhaps the ships are  beaing forced onto the rocks by the "Protestant wind"

Globe- Elizabeth's hand on the globe, we can see that her hand is over the Americas which England was busy colonising. Her fingers are extending to other parts of the globe and this symbolises that Elizabeth's poweris reaching and that the whole world is at her disposal.

Pillars- the Queen is flanked by two columns behind, probably a reference to the famous Impresa of the Holy Roman Emperor, CharlesV, Philip II of Spain's father, which represented the pillars of Hercules, gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and the New World.

The egg shaped object- on the right hand side of the painting there is an egg shaped object above Elizabeth's shoulder and in front of the window. It appears to be a pomegranate which symbolised fertility, generosity,union,prosperity, resurrection end eternal life.

The crown-confirmation of Elizabethan powerfull position.

Carving- a symbol of the potential destructive nature of females.

The Rainbow portrait

Elizabeth's gown is embroidered with English wildflowers, thus allowing the queen to pose in the guise of Astraea, the virginal heroine of classical literature. Her cloak is decorated with eyes and ears, implying that she sees and hears all. Her headdress is an incredible design decorated lavishly with pearls and rubies and supports her royal crown. The pearls symbolize her virginity; the crown, of course, symbolizes her royalty. Pearls also adorn the transparent veil which hangs over her shoulders. Above her crown is a crescent-shaped jewel which alludes to Cynthia, the goddess of the moon. 

A jeweled serpent is entwined along her left arm, and holds from its mouth a heart-shaped ruby. Above its head is a celestial sphere. The serpent symbolizes wisdom; it has captured the ruby, which in turn symbolizes the queen's heart. In other words, the queen's passions are controlled by her wisdom. The celestial sphere echoes this theme; it symbolizes wisdom and the queen's royal command over nature. 

Elizabeth's right hand holds a rainbow with the Latin inscription 'Non sine sole iris' ('No rainbow without the sun'). The rainbow symbolizes peace, and the inscription reminds viewers that only the queen's wisdom can ensure peace and prosperity. 

The Pelican portrait

Two imperial crowns – The crown on the left hand side of the picture is sitting on top of a Tudor rose and therefore symbolizes Elizabeth’s claim to England and the crown on the right hand side is sitting on top of a Fleur de Lys and so symbolizes Elizabeth’s claim to France.

The Pelican – Elizabeth is wearing a “pelican in her piety” pendant on her breast and this symbolizes her selfless love for her people, a mother’s love, because, according to legend, a female pelican would pluck her own breast to feed her dying young with her own blood. Also, as I said a couple of weeks ago, the pelican was also a symbol, in the Middle Ages, of Jesus’ crucifixion, the ultimate sacrifice, and of the Eucharist, the feeding of his followers with his own body and blood.

The colours of Elizabeth’s clothing – The National Maritime Museum point out that this portrait shows Elizabeth dressed in red, black, white and gold, colours that spoke of her wealth and status. Red fabric was dyed using cochineal, a dye restricted to those with serious money, and black fabric was notoriously expensive.

Tudor roses – As well as the Tudor Rose in the top right hand corner, you can also see Tudor Roses in the blackwork embroidery on Elizabeth’s sleeves and partlet. Even though Elizabeth has been queen for a while, she is reaffirming her Tudor roots and her right to the English throne.

Pearls – There are pearls on Elizabeth’s headdress, on her dress, and around her neck and shoulders, lots of them in fact. These symbolized Elizabeth’s purity and virginity.

The Ermin portrait

The Ermine- was the symbol of royalty; the animal is wearing the gold crown it wears. The crown symbolizes majesty and purity. 

The bejeweled black gown and background - black and white were the queen's favorite colors. Also, the deep, dark color reinforces the symbolic gravity of the painting.

 'Three Brothers' jewel - a gem made of three diamonds set in a triangle around a pointed diamond. It was one of her most treasured jewels.

 The sword -on the table beside the queen and symbolizes justice; she also holds an olive branch to symbolize peace.