From my recent seminar on Renaissance Beauty, I learnt about hidden symbolism and stories, Elizabethan beauty and the iconic portraiture of Queen Elizabeth.In Tudor times portraits and imagery of Queen Elizabeth I were available everywhere as young and established artists painted their own versions of the Virgin Queen. Because of this it increased the influence of her unique and admired fashion style and beauty and its following of many wealthy Elizabethan women. Printed and painted images of Queen Elizabeth were even available on coins, her iconic image was everywhere, and many women tried to recreate her look with whatever products they could play with.
I enjoyed this recent lecture and found it useful as I only had vague knowledge on Elizabethan history and virtually none on the portraiture of Queen Elizabeth I. The use of hidden symbolism was something that really interested me as it made me realise how clever Queen Elizabeth was. Although her reign as Queen wasn't the nicest experience and she had a lot against her, every portrait of her, paints her in a admirable, powerful and positive light. This lecture has inspired me to try and incorporate some form of symbolism and meaning into my final contemporary make-up design.
I enjoyed this recent lecture and found it useful as I only had vague knowledge on Elizabethan history and virtually none on the portraiture of Queen Elizabeth I. The use of hidden symbolism was something that really interested me as it made me realise how clever Queen Elizabeth was. Although her reign as Queen wasn't the nicest experience and she had a lot against her, every portrait of her, paints her in a admirable, powerful and positive light. This lecture has inspired me to try and incorporate some form of symbolism and meaning into my final contemporary make-up design.
Queen Elizabeth Portraiture and symbolism.
c 1592 Ditchley Portrait By Marcus Gheeraerts The Younger.
The facial features in this portrait were recreated and replicated for up 40 years worth of Queen Elizabeth's portraiture. This was done because Queen Elizabeth was very aware of her appearance and reputation of how people saw her, because of this she had her portraiture kept with the same face and destroyed any images she did not like. Queen Elizabeth had damaged her skin so much with her diy cosmetics she used to cover her scaring from having smallpox, that she demanded that no mirrors where in her room and anywhere she was as she did not want to see herself.
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| c 1592 Ditchley Portrait By Marcus Gheeraerts The Younger. Sourced Image from National Portrait Gallery, taken by me.
c.1583 Sieve Portrait By Metsys the Younger.
Sieve is a symbol of chastity and purity, the sense of purity derives from a story of a Roman virgin woman that proves her purity by carrying water and not spilling a drop.
The sieve symbolises Queen Elizabeths virginity.
The rim of the sieve is inscribed
'Terra Ilben /Al Dimora In Sella' (The good falls to the ground while the bad remains in the saddle). This link contains the information provided above to show evidence of where the symbolism of this portrait was found.
To the right of Queen Elizabeth in this portrait is said to be a man called Sir Christopher Hatton, who was Queen Elizabeth's courtier.
''The figure to the right of Elizabeth is possibly her courtier Sir Christopher Hatton. His white hind badge is just barely visible on the figures cloak. If so, Then it is possible that Hatton commissioned this portrait;he may have met Metsys during a trip to Antwerp in 1573.''
This link contains the information provided above to show evidence of where the symbolism of this portrait was found.
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| The Sieve Portrait By Metsys The Younger c1583. Google Sourced Image. http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8039/8047519027_75132c3fa0.jpg |
In this portrait Queen Elizabeth wears a pearl necklace given to her by Robert Dudley. The pearls in this portrait symbolise purity and virginity, It has been said that the pearls she is wearing are the last gift she was given by Robert Dudley, so they are very special and important to her. Supposedly Queen Elizabeth was 55 years old when she was painted in this portrait, although she looks extremely, young, fresh, beautiful and vibrant. Most research I have done on Queen Elizabeth portraiture states that she ordered every portrait to be a copy of her youthful portraits once she had turned 40, as her reputation and image was very important to her and she really valued they way people perceived her and her appearance.
This is why in every portrait Queen Elizabeth looks very youthful and as if she hasn't aged one bit. Supposedly her gaze in this portrait has been symbolised as Queen Elizabeth is looking to the future of her realm, ''C J Cairns writes of how the way that she is gazing into the distance could symbolise her looking to the future of her realm" -
Quote above is taken from website included in this link, website provides evidence of the information spoken about above -http://www.elizabethfiles.com/the-armada-portrait/3931/.
The painted windows in this portrait are said to describe the defeat and the arrival of the Armada. On the right of Queen Elizabeth is a pomegranate which symbolises 'fertility, abundance, generosity, union prosperity, rebirth,resurrection and eternal life.'-Quote above is taken from website included in this link, website provides evidence of the information spoken about above -http://www.elizabethfiles.com/the-armada-portrait/3931/.
This is why in every portrait Queen Elizabeth looks very youthful and as if she hasn't aged one bit. Supposedly her gaze in this portrait has been symbolised as Queen Elizabeth is looking to the future of her realm, ''C J Cairns writes of how the way that she is gazing into the distance could symbolise her looking to the future of her realm" -
Quote above is taken from website included in this link, website provides evidence of the information spoken about above -http://www.elizabethfiles.com/the-armada-portrait/3931/.
The painted windows in this portrait are said to describe the defeat and the arrival of the Armada. On the right of Queen Elizabeth is a pomegranate which symbolises 'fertility, abundance, generosity, union prosperity, rebirth,resurrection and eternal life.'-Quote above is taken from website included in this link, website provides evidence of the information spoken about above -http://www.elizabethfiles.com/the-armada-portrait/3931/.
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| c.1558 The Armada Portrait By George Gower. Google Sourced Image. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Elizabeth_I_(Armada_Portrait).jpg/603px-Elizabeth_I_(Armada_Portrait).jpg |
c.1600 The Rainbow Portrait By Issac Oliver.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/750931?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Above is a link to a website which provides an online book, which discusses the Religious symbolism of Queen Elizabeth's 'The Rainbow Portrait' c1600, I have used this online source as research on the symbolism included in this portrait.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/750931?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Above is a link to a website which provides an online book, which discusses the Religious symbolism of Queen Elizabeth's 'The Rainbow Portrait' c1600, I have used this online source as research on the symbolism included in this portrait.
Queen Elizabeth's gown in this portrait was embroidered with English wildflowers and eyes and ears patterns to symbolise that she hears and sees everything. In response to this I researched more on there symbolic embroidered dress and found this online source which discussed her dress in more detail, The pearls she wears in the portrait symbolise virginity.
C.1575 The Persian Portrait By unknown artist.
The Pelican symbol, is a symbol of love and this soon became one of her favourite symbols. In the middle ages the Pelican was seen as a symbol of sacrifice, and the Pelican symbolised Queen Elizabeth as a mother of her protestant people. The cherries she wears symbolise virginity, showing that her cherries are still intact. She wears a phoenix, a mythological bird.
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| The Rainbow Portrait By Issac Oliver C.1600 Image Sourced From Google. http://www.gogmsite.net/the_late_farthingale_era_fr/minialbum_queen_elizabeth_o/ca_1600_rainbow_portrait_by.html |
The Pelican symbol, is a symbol of love and this soon became one of her favourite symbols. In the middle ages the Pelican was seen as a symbol of sacrifice, and the Pelican symbolised Queen Elizabeth as a mother of her protestant people. The cherries she wears symbolise virginity, showing that her cherries are still intact. She wears a phoenix, a mythological bird.
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| The Persian Portrait c.1575 By unknown artist. Google Sourced Image. http://www.reformation.org/en-persian-portrait.jpg |
Other Elizabethan Symbolism and its meaning.
The Tudor Rose was a symbol of wealth and status, Queen Elizabeth used the rose to emphasise the right to the thrown and also her status. A crown in her portraits symbolise majesty and purity. The three brothers jewel was Queen Elizabeths most treasured Jewel which she wore in nearly every of her portraits. The sword beside her in a portrait symbolises justice and also and olive branch;peace.
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