Search the Collection

Queen Elizabeth I

(1533-1603), Reigned 1558-1603

Sitter 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

30 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Queen Elizabeth I, by Unknown artist - NPG 446

Queen Elizabeth I

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

Queen Elizabeth I, by Nicholas Hilliard - NPG 108

Queen Elizabeth I

by Nicholas Hilliard
watercolour on vellum, 1572
NPG 108

Queen Elizabeth I, by Nicholas Hilliard - NPG 190

Queen Elizabeth I

by Nicholas Hilliard
oil on panel, circa 1575
On display in Room 2 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 190

Queen Elizabeth I, by Unknown continental artist - NPG 2082

Queen Elizabeth I

by Unknown continental artist
oil on panel, circa 1575
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2082

Queen Elizabeth I ('Elizabeth I and the Three Goddesses'), attributed to Isaac Oliver - NPG 6947

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 - NPG 2561

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

Queen Elizabeth I, by Unknown English artist - NPG 5175

Queen Elizabeth I

by Unknown English artist
oil on panel, circa 1600
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5175

Queen Elizabeth I, by Unknown artist - NPG 542

Queen Elizabeth I

by Unknown artist
oil on panel, early 17th century with 18th century overpainting
NPG 542

Queen Elizabeth I, by Elkington & Co, cast by  Domenico Brucciani, after  Maximilian Colte - NPG 357

Queen Elizabeth I

by Elkington & Co, cast by Domenico Brucciani, after Maximilian Colte
electrotype, 1873, based on a work of circa 1605-1607
NPG 357

Queen Elizabeth I, by Unknown artist - NPG 5474

Queen Elizabeth I

by Unknown artist
marble bust, late 18th century or 19th century
NPG 5474

'Work in Progress',  - NPG 7145

'Work in Progress'

acrylic on paper collaged on panels, 2021-2022
On display in Room 33 on Floor 0 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 7145

Related People

Media

 

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.