Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I
Unidentified painter,
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Introduction

Few monarchs in European history have harnessed the power of image and symbolism as effectively as Queen Elizabeth I of England. Reigning from 1558 to 1603, Elizabeth understood that her portraits were not merely art—they were political instruments, designed to convey legitimacy, chastity, wisdom, and divine favor. 

The Tudor dynasty was relatively young and vulnerable, and Elizabeth, as an unmarried female ruler, needed to constantly assert her authority in a patriarchal world.

Over her forty-five-year reign, Elizabeth’s image evolved from that of a young, scholarly princess into a timeless icon of virginity and imperial strength. Portraiture, carefully regulated by her court, became the medium through which this transformation was projected. 

Five portraits, in particular, stand out: the Armada Portrait, the Pelican Portrait, the Plimpton Sieve Portrait, the Ermine Portrait, and the Young Princess Elizabeth Portrait. Together, they trace not only the artistic evolution of her image but also the political and cultural narratives of Tudor England.

Portrait of Elizabeth I of England,
The Armada Portrait
Formerly attributed to George Gower,
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
1. The Armada Portrait (c. 1588)

The Armada Portrait was painted to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, arguably the defining triumph of Elizabeth’s reign. 

At the time, Spain represented the greatest threat to English sovereignty, and the Armada’s destruction by storm and English naval power was interpreted as a sign of divine intervention.

Artistic Specialties:

  • The composition is unusually complex for Elizabethan portraiture. Behind the queen, two windows display contrasting seascapes: one of the English fleet in calm waters and another of the defeated Armada ships wrecked upon the coast. This juxtaposition symbolizes Elizabeth as the calm, commanding center amidst chaos.

  • Pearls embellish her gown, symbolizing chastity and purity, while her right hand rests upon a globe, specifically pointing toward the Americas, a visual claim to global influence.

  • The radiating lace ruff frames her face like the sun, reinforcing the idea of Elizabeth as the source of light and authority for her kingdom.

Historical Meaning:
This portrait is not only a commemoration of naval victory but also a declaration of England’s rising imperial ambitions. The queen is depicted as ageless and unshaken, transcending the frailty of mortality, embodying instead the eternal stability of the crown.

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
Walker Art Gallery, Public domain,
 via Wikimedia Commons
2. The Pelican Portrait (c. 1575)

Painted when Elizabeth was in her early forties, the Pelican Portrait is named after the jewel she wears on her chest: a pelican feeding her young with blood from its own breast, a traditional Christian symbol of self-sacrifice.

Artistic Specialties:

  • The pelican pendant portrays Elizabeth as the mother of her people, sacrificing herself for their well-being, a message designed to resonate deeply during an age of political and religious uncertainty.

  • Her dress is heavy with Tudor symbolism: red velvet lined with ermine fur, jeweled embroidery, and Tudor roses intertwined with fleur-de-lis, asserting not only her English heritage but also her claim to the French throne.

  • The two crowns resting on symbolic emblems reinforce the dual nature of her identity: queen by birthright and queen by divine favor.

Historical Meaning:
The Pelican Portrait emerged in a period of heightened debate about Elizabeth’s unmarried status. The imagery countered criticism by presenting her as a selfless, maternal figure whose devotion to her people replaced the need for a husband or heirs.

The Plimpton "Sieve"
Portrait of Elizabeth I of England
George Gower, Public domain,
 via Wikimedia Commons
Folger Shakespeare Library,
 Washington, DC, USA
3. The Plimpton Sieve Portrait (1579)

The Plimpton Sieve Portrait is among the most intellectual and allegorical of Elizabeth’s images. In it, she holds a sieve, referencing the Roman Vestal Virgin Tuccia, who proved her purity by carrying water in a sieve without spilling a drop.

Artistic Specialties:

  • The sieve is a direct emblem of Elizabeth’s virginity, reinforcing her identity as the “Virgin Queen.”

  • The painting incorporates inscriptions in Italian, proclaiming her as an omniscient ruler: “I see everything, and much is lacking.” Such philosophical mottos emphasize Elizabeth as a ruler of intellect as well as virtue.

  • The globe and architectural background elements situate Elizabeth within a universal and imperial context, suggesting that her virtue ensures her rightful dominion over the world stage.

Historical Meaning:
This portrait was painted during negotiations for a possible marriage alliance with François, Duke of Anjou. By highlighting her virginity, Elizabeth positioned herself as independent and divinely chosen, deflecting pressure to wed while presenting herself as sovereign in her own right.

The Ermine Portrait, 1585 {{PD-US}}
Unidentified painter, Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons
4. The Ermine Portrait (c. 1585)

The Ermine Portrait, attributed to William Segar, presents Elizabeth with an ermine resting on her arm, a small but powerful detail filled with symbolism.

Artistic Specialties:

  • Elizabeth’s gown is lavish, black silk embroidered with gold, further adorned with pearls and gems. Her posture is regal and imposing.

  • The ermine, historically associated with purity because of the belief it would rather die than soil its white coat, reinforces Elizabeth’s chastity. In this portrait, the ermine even wears a gold crown, symbolizing royal dignity.

  • She also holds an olive branch, an emblem of peace, while a sword of justice is visible nearby, reminding viewers that her peace is balanced with readiness for decisive action.

Historical Meaning:
This portrait encapsulates Elizabeth as the perfect monarch: chaste yet powerful, peaceful yet just, graceful yet commanding. It was created during a time of relative peace at home but rising tensions abroad, particularly with Spain, and thus served as a reassurance of the queen’s strength and balance.

 Young Elizabeth I portrait.{{PD-US}} 
http://www.luminarium.org/,
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
5. The Young Princess Elizabeth Portrait (c. 1546–1547)

Before she became queen, Elizabeth was painted as a young princess, likely around the age of thirteen or fourteen. This early portrait, attributed to William Scrots, provides a fascinating contrast to the later, more symbolic works.

Artistic Specialties:

  • Elizabeth is shown wearing a crimson gown trimmed with fur, a sign of her noble birth and wealth. The pose is modest yet dignified, projecting both innocence and intellectual promise.

  • Books are often included in depictions from this period, emphasizing her reputation as an exceptionally educated woman, fluent in multiple languages and steeped in classical studies.

  • The restrained style avoids heavy allegory, instead focusing on the promise of a young princess whose destiny was not yet certain.

Historical Meaning:
This portrait is vital for understanding the continuity of Elizabeth’s image. Even in her youth, she was depicted with dignity and intellect, qualities that would later define her reign. It also underscores how far her image evolved, from an earnest scholar to the near-mythical Virgin Queen.

Themes Across the Portraits

Virginity and Purity

From the sieve to the pearls, from the pelican to the ermine, Elizabeth’s chastity was consistently foregrounded. In an age when her unmarried state could be seen as politically destabilizing, her portraits turned virginity into a divine virtue, elevating it as the foundation of her power.

Imperial Ambition

Globes, naval victories, and crowns reinforced England’s growing role as a global power. The Armada Portrait, in particular, proclaimed Elizabeth not just as queen of England but as a monarch whose reach extended to the New World.

Divine Authority

Elizabethan portraiture often depicted the queen as ageless, transcending human frailty. By masking her true age and physical flaws—often with heavy makeup that became part of her image—Elizabeth appeared eternal, like a goddess.

Political Propaganda

Portraits were strictly controlled. Only approved images could circulate, ensuring that every depiction aligned with the queen’s carefully cultivated image. Elizabeth understood that her portraits were extensions of her rule.

Conclusion

The portraits of Queen Elizabeth I are far more than artistic achievements; they are visual manifestos of her reign. Each work served a strategic purpose—projecting victory, chastity, authority, or maternal devotion. 

Taken together, they form a carefully orchestrated visual legacy that outlived the queen herself, embedding her in the cultural memory of England as the Virgin Queen, the bringer of peace, and the symbol of empire.

Her use of portraiture was revolutionary in its combination of political strategy and personal myth-making. By blending allegory, symbolism, and timeless artistry, these images helped secure her place as one of history’s most iconic rulers. Even today, centuries later, they remain central to how we imagine Elizabethan England.

Sources

  • History of the Armada Portrait and its symbolism

  • Details of the Pelican Portrait and its Christian iconography

  • Analysis of the Plimpton Sieve Portrait and its inscriptions

  • Context for the Ermine Portrait and its allegorical imagery

  • Interpretation of the Young Princess Elizabeth Portrait

  • Discussions of Elizabeth’s control over her image and makeup practices