Symbolism

Elizabeth had her portraits completed many times over the years of her reign, and although many were painted, little survived. The Queen was obsessed with her overall image, not just vanity, and she needed these portraits to convey her beauty, purity, and power, and those that didn't, were destroyed. Her early portraits focused on her right to reign, asserting her legitimacy as the rightful heir, as well as her purity, chastity and her undying love for the people. Throughout her life as Queen, the portraits began to convey the success of her reign, and the strength and power she had. In the 1570's, she began to be very aware of what it meant to have her portraits adorned with symbols of power and wisdom, to celebrate her as the Virgin Queen. These portraits played a large part in the 'Cult of Elizabeth', the idea of celebrating Elizabeth as 'the sacred one', essentially becoming a piece of propaganda and winning her loyalty of the people. The Queen did not commission one artist to complete her portraits, but used a handful of skilful artists. Other artists would then create their own portrait from these, which is why so many similarities occur within the paintings. The portraits also differ in style, due to the painting skills of the painters changing throughout the years. The Renaissance bought a new change of painting, more lifelike and elaborate in style. However, this was not the only change in the paintings. The size of portraits would range from large to small, and it was a great privilege to own own. The Nobility kept miniature portraits on themselves, so that the Queen would be close to them at all time. Images of Queen Elizabeth were also worn as jewellery by the upper classes to show their loyalty.

Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1572
Miniature by Nicholas Hilliard.
© National Portrait Gallery, London

All of the portraits completed during and after the Queen's reign contained a significant amount of symbolism.

The Rainbow Portrait, c.1600
Isaac Oliver
Hatfield House

This is 'The Rainbow Portrait', by Isaac Oliver, which now stands in Hatfield House, UK. This is considered one of the more elaborate and inventive Tudor portraits, due to the use of symbolism. Elizabeth is standing in the frame, elaborately dressed and decorated. Her gown is embroidered with English wildflowers, allowing the Queen to pose as the virginal heroine Astraea, the Greek Goddess Daughter of Zeus and Themis. She is associated with innocence, purity and justice, a celestial virgin that was one of the last immortals to live with humans. According to the myth, she will return and bring with her 'The Golden Age'. As well as this goddess reference, the cape is decorated with eyes and ears, implying that she hears and sees all. This is added in very subtly to the design of the covering, which further implies that even when she takes the cloak off she will still hear and see all, just alike God. On the arm of Her Majesty's gown, sits a serpent holding a ruby in it's mouth. This symbolises how wisdom has captured the Queen's heart, and wisdom controls her emotions and her ruling. To support this, there is a celestial sphere, which echoes the queen's power over nature. Elizabeth would have been ageing when this piece was created, and her hair is worn in long ringlets, which gives the illusion of youth, and to hide her ageing skin. The headdress that sits upon her hair is adorned lavishly with jewels, pearls and rubies in particular. The pearls symbolise her utmost purity, whilst the rubies convey her royal blood. At the top of the crown is a crescent shaped jewel, referring to Cynthia, the God of the Moon. Elizabeth loved her hands, and in every portrait it is important to suds what she holds, as it is there for a reason. In her right hand, she holds a rainbow, with the inscription 'Non sine sole iris' upon it. This means 'No rainbow without sun', the rainbow symbolising peace, only the Queen's wisdom brings control. The image conveys youth, with implies that the Queen is therefore ageless. Like the Queen's dresses, hair and headdresses were adorned with jewels, the Queen's portraits were similarly adorned in symbolism.

Other symbols include:

Gloves represent elegance,

Olive branches show peace,

Crowns, orbs and sceptres’ signify the power of the monarchy

Dogs represent faithfulness – The greyhound in particular was associated with the Tudors

(Marilee Cody, 2006,  'Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I (online)[viewed 17/10/2014], available from: http://www.marileecody.com/eliz1-images.html)

Nowadays, the symbols for power and status are items such as big cars, designer accessories, small dogs, and expensive jewellery. We were set a task to find an image of a contemporary portrait, and take our own. I chose to look at Nicki Minaj, a top female celebrity of the modern day.

(Nicki Minaj, July18th 2013, Instagram [viewed 17/10/2014] available from http://instagram.com/nickiminaj)

I chose this holiday portrait that Nicki had taken of her, overlooking the hot landscape, by the cool of the swimming pool. She wears a hat in this image, that covers her eyes from the viewer, implying that  the audience do not have any relevance to her life, she does not need to acknowledge them. This is supported by the pose, she is looking away from the camera. Nicki Minaj is renowned for her bum implants, which in this image is not hesitant of flaunting them. The idea of a 'big booty' has swept the world, with woman all over embracing their curves. The designer Louboutins that Nicki wears are definitely not a necessity by poolside, but they are conveying her celebrity status. The three bottles of 'MYX' are an alcoholic drink that Nicki promotes, which is the reason they are included in this portrait. The setting is idyllic, she is surrounded by trees and mountains bathing in the sun, with a private pool to cool down in. Celebrity status is rife in this image, with every detail documenting her wealth, and promoting her image, just alike Queen Elizabeth.

My image is a portrait taken by my sister on my holiday. I feel it conveys my personality well, my bright coloured hair, and quirky jewellery contrasting the calm of the sea behind. I thought this image was similar to Nicki Minaj's portrait, as I am enjoying the sun high above the sea.