Queen Elizabeth I

Sitterback to top

• Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), Reigned 1558-1603. Sitter associated with 125 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Unknown Netherlandish artist. Artist of 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

One of the most important surviving images of Elizabeth I, this portrait was almost certainly painted from life and the resulting pattern for the queen's face was to be repeated for the remainder of her reign. It is known as the 'Darnley portrait' after a previous owner. It shows her looking cold, haughty and imperious, wearing a rather masculine doublet with a lace ruff collar, a double string of pearls looped around her neck and carrying an ostrich-feather fan. The portrait may have been painted by a Flemish artist, perhaps one visiting England for a short period. It is likely that it was commissioned by a courtier close to the queen and it is possible that the pendant or the ostrich feather fan may have been a gift from that person. Behind her on a table lies her crown. It was an image that was much reproduced and is rather more lifelike than some of the later portraits which created the idea of an ageless Virgin Queen. Recent technical analysis has shown that the colours in this painting have faded over time. Elizabeth's now extremely pale complexion would have been much rosier, however, the red pigments in the flesh paint have faded over time. The golden brown pattern on her dress would originally have been crimson, perhaps with a purple tinge.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D31846: Queen Elizabeth I (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Clare Gittings, The National Portrait Gallery Book of Elizabeth I, 2006, p. 16
• Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 30
• Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 7
• Cooper, Tarnya, Searching for Shakespeare (hardback), 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 2 March - 29 May 2006), p. 158
• Cooper, Tarnya, Searching for Shakespeare, 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 2 March - 29 May 2006), p. 158
• Cooper, Tarnya; Fraser, Antonia (foreword), A Guide to Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 2012, p. 32
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 37
• Parris, Matthew, Heroes and Villains: Scarfe at the National Portrait Gallery, 2003 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 30 September 2003 to 4 April 2004), p. 26
• Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 50
• Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 42
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 45
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 45
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 200
• Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 102

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Crowns and tiaras
• Fans
• Fashion tour
• Jewellery
• On display at the Gallery