Queen Elizabeth I
(1533-1603), Reigned 1558-1603Sitter associated with 135 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: Tudor & Jacobean Portraits book in our Shops | Elizabethan Treasures: Miniatures by Hilliard and Oliver catalogue in our Shops | Who do you think you were | Elizabeth I and Her People | Queens of England range in our Shops | Monarchs range in our Shops | Kings & Queens range in our Shops
Explore the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II (NPG D48090) from all angles
Watch a film clip on the sitter in the Media section below
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
associated with Nicholas Hilliard
oil on panel, circa 1575
NPG 190
by Unknown continental artist
oil on panel, circa 1575
NPG 2082
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 1590
NPG 6947
Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait')
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
oil on canvas, circa 1592
NPG 2561
Unknown woman, possibly Queen Elizabeth I
by Unknown artist
pencil and watercolour, circa 1595
NPG 2825
by Unknown English artist
oil on panel, circa 1600
NPG 5175
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
'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
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Thematic collections
- Photo collage
- Photomontage
- Portraits featuring - Necklace
- Portraits featuring - Brooch
- Miniatures
- Best selling prints
- Top 50 watercolours and drawings as Portrait Prints
- Elizabethan Treasures
- Tudor and Elizabethan portraits
- Tudor and Elizabethan prints
- Kings & Queens
- Flowers and plants
- Top selling prints
- Fans
- Top selling prints of paintings
- Prints of paintings
- Tudor and Elizabethan portraits used in matching pairs
- Portraits featuring - Earring
- Portraits featuring - Ring
- Maps and globes
- Words and inscriptions
- National Portrait Gallery works in Elizabeth to Victoria exhibition at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow
- Effigies
- Medals and medallions
- Jewellery
- Portraits featuring - Chain
- Crowns and tiaras
- Meet the Locals Tour