With this being the end of Women’s History Month, I knew that I wanted to feature a female subject. I’m fortunate in that my favourite areas of history tend to feature women quite prominently, and I didn’t have to search far. This History Bite is going to be exploring the Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. It represents one of the most important military events in her reign, and it would permanently impact her legacy. I was lucky enough to see it in person in Greenwich, a true physical piece of history!
The Armada Portrait at Queen’s House, Greenwich
According to the RMG collection,
The ‘Armada Portrait’ of Queen Elizabeth I, three-quarter-length, in a richly gold-embroidered and jewelled dress, her left hand holding a feathered fan, her right resting on a terrestrial globe, an imperial covered crown on the table beside her, with two views of the sea beyond: on the left, the English fleet with the approaching Spanish Armada; on the right, the Armada wrecked by storms on the (mainly Irish) coast. The contrast between calm and storm is a metaphor for the good Protestant government of Elizabeth’s England and the despotic Catholic rule of Philip II’s Spain.
The Drake Portrait
Through donations, RMG was able to purchase this piece in 2016. It was originally owned by the Tyrwhitt-Drake family, and Sir Francis Drake may have commissioned it. There are two other surviving versions of this painting, and the general consensus is that the Drake portrait was done by a different artist.
I have to say, this is one of my favourite pieces of art for its symbolism. (And that says something, as Elizabeth isn’t one of my favourite historical figures.) She is so strongly represented in every possible way. And although it is no way limited to this portrait, the Armada Portrait demonstrates Elizabeth’s power through all available symbols. Current PR reps could take a lesson or two!
Have you seen the Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I?
Cheers,
The Historian
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