Queen Elizabeth I
(1533-1603), Reigned 1558-1603Sitter associated with 138 portraits
The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth came to the throne on the death of her half-sister, Mary I. Her long reign, beginning in 1558, saw the secure establishment of the Church of England. It was characterised by relative peace and prosperity, a great increase in foreign trade and exploration, and a flourishing literary culture. Despite receiving many proposals of marriage, Elizabeth remained single and became legendary as the 'virgin queen'. She had many favourites, but none more important than Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, who sought to win her hand in marriage.
More on Queen Elizabeth I: Who do you think you were? game | Elizabeth I and Her People exhibition
Explore the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II (NPG D48090) from all angles
by Unknown English artist
oil on panel, circa 1560
NPG 4449
by Steven van Herwijck
lead medal, 1565
NPG 4294
by Unknown artist
electrotype of a so-called pattern for a sovereign, 19th century, based on a work from the late 16th century
NPG 446
by Nicholas Hilliard
watercolour on vellum, 1572
NPG 108
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1580s-1590s
NPG 200
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1585-1590
NPG 2471
by Unknown English artist
oil on panel, circa 1588
NPG 541
Queen Elizabeth I ('Elizabeth I and the Three Goddesses')
attributed to Isaac Oliver
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, circa 1588
NPG 6947
Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait')
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
oil on canvas, circa 1592
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2561
Unknown woman, possibly Queen Elizabeth I
by Unknown artist
pencil and watercolour, circa 1595
NPG 2825
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, early 17th century with 18th century overpainting
NPG 542
by Elkington & Co, cast by Domenico Brucciani, after Maximilian Colte
electrotype, 1873, based on a work of circa 1605-1607
NPG 357
by Unknown artist
marble bust, late 18th century or 19th century
NPG 5474
acrylic on paper collaged on panels, 2021-2022
On display in Room 33 on Floor 0 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 7145
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'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
by Thomas Gemini
line engraving, mid 16th century
NPG D25026
Queen Elizabeth I and three unknown councillors
after Unknown artist
woodcut, circa 1563 (published circa 1570)
NPG D47463
Procession of the Knights of the Garter (sheet 1)
after Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder
photograph of engraving, (1576)
NPG D31853
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1587
NPG D20951
by and published by Christoffel van Sichem (Voschem), after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1596-1624
NPG D19969
by and published by Christoffel van Sichem (Voschem), after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1596-1624
NPG D21059
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25024
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25025
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D25031
Queen Elizabeth I, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly early to mid 17th century
NPG D25033
possibly by William Faithorne
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D25037
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D25039
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably early 17th century
NPG D25042
after Unknown artist
etching, early 17th century (1596)
NPG D42190
published by Paul de la Houve
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D20205
after Unknown artist
etching, early 17th century
NPG D21055
after Unknown artist
etching, early 17th century (1596)
NPG D21061
after Unknown artist
etching, 17th century
NPG D21057
Somerviles haste to kill the Queene (Queen Elizabeth I; John Somerville (Somervile); 2 guards)
by Friedrich van Hulsen
line engraving, early-mid 17th century
NPG D21063
Queen Elizabeth I with peers temporal and spiritual ('The Entrance of Queen Elizabeth')
by Unknown artist
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D21064
by Christoffel van Sichem (Voschem), after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1601
NPG D21060
by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1603 or after
NPG D25180
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Thematic collections
- Photo collage
- Photomontage
- Portraits featuring - Necklace
- Portraits featuring - Brooch
- Flowers and plants
- Fans
- Portraits featuring - Earring
- Portraits featuring - Ring
- Maps and globes
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- National Portrait Gallery works in Elizabeth to Victoria exhibition at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow
- Jewellery
- Portraits featuring - Chain
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