Queen Elizabeth I of England, by Nicholas Hilliard

Elizabeth I of England, by Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619)., c. 1574. Elizabeth I of England, by Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619)., c. 1574. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, England, acc. no. WAG 2994

Queen Elizabeth I of England (r: 1558-1603) was portrayed by the English painter, Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619). The painting dates to about 1574. The queen is depicted wearing a plum red gown decorated with applied jewels, including pearls and emeralds.

The bodice and large padded sleeve rolls are slashed and have fine cloth drawn out from underneath to act as a form of ornament. She is also wearing an embroidered partlet with a small collar and matching sleeves. A very fine cloth with bands of gold protects the embroidered garments. Her low-necked smock is just visible above the top of the arched bodice.

The partlet and sleeves are embroidered in blackwork on a white ground. The design is of stylised roses (the Tudor emblem) and foliage. The painting is sometimes referred to as the ‘Pelican’ portrait, because of the pelican jewel on her chest. The pelican is a traditional Christian symbol of Christ’s sacrifice. It was believed that the pelican fed her young with her own blood, and so the bird became a symbol of piety and self-sacrifice. The pelican here alludes to Elizabeth’s role as mother of the nation.

The painting is now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, England, acc. no. WAG 2994.

See also the entry on another painting of Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard, or his studio, dated c. 1599.

Digital source (retrieved 30 May 2016).

Walker Art Gallery online catalogue (retrieved 29 June 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Sunday, 22 January 2017 18:32