Portrait of Elizabeth I Tudor, Queen of England

Queen Elizabeth of England, depicted standing in full regalia. She wears a gown entirely covered with pearls and a wide pleated collar trimmed with lace. Over the gown a loose mantle with a standing collar. Around the neck various pearl necklaces and on the head a small crown. In the right hand the scepter, in the left hand the orb. On the right on a small table Bible and sword. Top right her coat of arms. During the reign of Elizabeth artists were forbidden to make portraits of the queen from free choice. One of the official court painters of Elizabeth was Isaac Oliver (ca. 1556-1617. This print was made after the death of Elizabeth in 1603, after an earlier miniature by Oliver. The clothing decorated with pearls was usually worn at the opening of Parliament. Ihle p. 17, no. 38: Queen Elizabeth of England (1533-1603) owned 6000 gowns and 800 wigs. The gown has leg-of-mutton sleeves and a farthingale (jupon a plateau) resting on a hoop.