The Armada Portrait, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603), was painted after the English defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. The Spanish Armada was a fleet of one-hundred thirty ships with 18,000 men transporting an army from Flanders to attack England due to religious differences.1 George Gower (1540 - 1596), Queen Elizabeth’s Serjeant Painter, painted The Armada Portrait to commemorate the Queen Elizabeth I’s accomplishment in leading England to successfully defeating the Spanish Armada. The portrait is currently on display at Woburn Abbey and was originally painted during the Elizabethan Era (1558 - 1603) in England.2 The Armada Portrait provides insights into Queen Elizabeth I’s political and economic power through her confident
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This research paper will provide an analysis of The Armada Portrait and will explore how contemporary achievements and the state of politics and economics of the Elizabethan Era are displayed in The Armada Portrait.
George Gower’s The Armada Portrait, painted in England in 1588, was commissioned by Sir Francis Drake (1540 - 1596),3 an English sea captain who was involved with the Spanish Armada battle. Since the Elizabethan Era is thought of as the golden age of England, it is very important that Queen Elizabeth I chose to honor her political and economic power through a painting and through her body language. Artistic expression, a strongly valued aspect of Elizabethan life, further stresses the importance of Queen Elizabeth I’s decision. The painting itself is a representation of imperial power and of female power during the Elizabethan Era.4 Being a strong female leader, Queen Elizabeth I is an ideal subject and face for the power of women throughout the Elizabethan England. Darker colors dominate the portrait and surround Queen Elizabeth I. The brighter colors are used to form Queen Elizabeth I, so the viewer’s eyes naturally fall onto the subject of the painting; thus, are easily able …show more content…
The placement of Queen Elizabeth I’s hand has a larger significance. In addition to political power, the positioning of her hand signifies the vast trade network of Elizabethan England and how England had a strong and functioning economy.13 Sixteenth century England was financially flourishing during this time, allowing for the expansion of commerce and trade. The aftermath of defeating the Spanish Armada spurred the commerce and trade expansion. This expansion led to the formation of trading companies with the purpose of enhancing trade, such as the East India Company.14 One of Queen Elizabeth I’s accomplishments was reinvigorating England’s trade and economy.15 Not only was England flourishing artistically and economically, but Queen Elizabeth was also wealthy. The illustration of this wealth appears by wearing a big puffy dress with many jewels and a pearl necklace. As a queen, Queen Elizabeth I was able to afford these grand items to wear, but most of Elizabethan citizens also had a sizable amount of
This research paper will provide an analysis of The Armada Portrait and will explore how contemporary achievements and the state of politics and economics of the Elizabethan Era are displayed in The Armada Portrait.
George Gower’s The Armada Portrait, painted in England in 1588, was commissioned by Sir Francis Drake (1540 - 1596),3 an English sea captain who was involved with the Spanish Armada battle. Since the Elizabethan Era is thought of as the golden age of England, it is very important that Queen Elizabeth I chose to honor her political and economic power through a painting and through her body language. Artistic expression, a strongly valued aspect of Elizabethan life, further stresses the importance of Queen Elizabeth I’s decision. The painting itself is a representation of imperial power and of female power during the Elizabethan Era.4 Being a strong female leader, Queen Elizabeth I is an ideal subject and face for the power of women throughout the Elizabethan England. Darker colors dominate the portrait and surround Queen Elizabeth I. The brighter colors are used to form Queen Elizabeth I, so the viewer’s eyes naturally fall onto the subject of the painting; thus, are easily able …show more content…
The placement of Queen Elizabeth I’s hand has a larger significance. In addition to political power, the positioning of her hand signifies the vast trade network of Elizabethan England and how England had a strong and functioning economy.13 Sixteenth century England was financially flourishing during this time, allowing for the expansion of commerce and trade. The aftermath of defeating the Spanish Armada spurred the commerce and trade expansion. This expansion led to the formation of trading companies with the purpose of enhancing trade, such as the East India Company.14 One of Queen Elizabeth I’s accomplishments was reinvigorating England’s trade and economy.15 Not only was England flourishing artistically and economically, but Queen Elizabeth was also wealthy. The illustration of this wealth appears by wearing a big puffy dress with many jewels and a pearl necklace. As a queen, Queen Elizabeth I was able to afford these grand items to wear, but most of Elizabethan citizens also had a sizable amount of