Elizabeth I. Elizabeth I was Queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603.
She is one of the most famous monarchs in English history and has been represented in art in various ways throughout the centuries. During her reign, Elizabeth I used art as a means of projecting her power and authority.
She commissioned many portraits of herself that were intended to convey her strength, intelligence, and beauty. These portraits were often highly idealized, depicting the queen in elaborate dresses and jewelry, with perfect skin and a serene expression.
One of the most famous portraits of Elizabeth I is the "Armada Portrait," which was painted to commemorate the English victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588. In this portrait, the queen is shown wearing a white dress and a pearl necklace, with her hand resting on a globe.
Behind her, a stormy sea can be seen, symbolizing the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The portrait is notable for its symbolism and its use of color, as well as its depiction of the queen as a powerful and commanding figure. Another famous portrait of Elizabeth I is the "Ditchley Portrait," which was painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger in 1592. In this portrait, the queen is shown standing on a map of England, with her feet planted firmly on Oxfordshire, the county where she was born. She wears a elaborate gown and a pearl-encrusted headdress, and holds a fan in one hand a