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
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1604
NPG D21058
by Simon de Passe, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, circa 1615-1620
NPG D42191
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1618
NPG D31852
Monument to Queen Elizabeth I in Westminster Abbey
by Magdalena de Passe, or by Willem de Passe, after Maximilian Colte
line engraving, 1620
NPG D13271
by Crispyn van den Queborne, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1625
NPG D18835
by Charles David, after Isaac Oliver
engraving, circa 1625-1636
NPG D20336
by Francis Delaram, after Nicholas Hilliard
line engraving, published 1625
NPG D21054
Roger Ascham and Princess (afterwards Queen) Elizabeth
by Michael Burghers
line engraving, possibly mid to late 17th century
NPG D25554
by Francis Delaram, after Nicholas Hilliard
line engraving, published 1630
NPG D16561
by Francis Delaram, after Nicholas Hilliard
line engraving, published 1630
NPG D21053
by Francis Delaram, after Nicholas Hilliard
line engraving, published 1630
NPG D21052
probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22813
by William Marshall
line engraving, circa 1648
NPG D25032
by William Marshall
line engraving, circa 1648
NPG D42187
Queen Elizabeth I; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley; Sir Francis Walsingham
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D22722
Queen Elizabeth I; Sir Francis Walsingham; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D31830
Queen Elizabeth I; Sir Francis Walsingham; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D19080
Queen Elizabeth I; Sir Francis Walsingham; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D21165
Monument to Queen Elizabeth I in Westminster Abbey
by Richard Gaywood, after Maximilian Colte
etching, circa 1665
NPG D13170
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D25029
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.