Elizabeth I Rainbow Portrait: Deep Dive

One of last week’s YouTube videos we did a deep dive into Elizabeth I’s Rainbow Portrait (do you subscribe to me on YouTube? If not, Tudorfy your YouTube algorithm and do it now!) Here’s the video, and the rough transcript.

Rough Transcript of the deep dive into Elizabeth I’s Rainbow Portrait

hello and welcome to the YouTube channel for the Renaissance English History Podcast today we are looking at another tutor portrait this time it’s the rainbow portrait of Elizabeth the first which is of course filled with symbols and meanings Galore first if you are new here very special warm welcome to you my name is Heather I have been podcasting on tutor England since 2009. this channel right here is where I put all of my old podcast episodes as well as loads of special content just like this video right here

So let’s talk about Elizabeth the first rainbow portrait shall we – this portrait attributed to Isaac Oliver or some people also say Marcus gerhart’s the younger either way it’s a half life-sized canvas woven with symbols and meanings painting Elizabeth not only as a queen but as an immortal entity a beacon of prosperity for England the Majesty of Hatfield house today houses this intriguing portrait amidst a vast collection of paintings and furniture and tapestries the rainbow portrait tells a story far beyond its brush Strokes it isn’t just an image it’s a piece of Elizabethan propaganda a testament to the era’s intricate web of Cipher’s symbolism and secret meanings

The purpose of the portrait was to present an ageless and divine Elizabeth a significant departure from reality given that the queen when this was painted around 1600 was close to 70 years old yet here she stands radiant and Timeless defying the grip of age and mortality the symbolism is undeniable the rainbow held delicately in her right hand isn’t just a Marvel of nature accompanied by the Latin motto non-sinai Soleil Iris the queen becomes the sun suggesting that without her England would lack its golden age of peace and stability her attire further dives into the symbolism.

There’s a mix of English wildflowers and exotic creatures and it paints a picture of an Empire vast and diverse and the eyes and the ears they tell the story of a queen who misses nothing who sees everything a testament to her omniscience and her spy Network this could also be an allusion to the numerous rebellions schemes and conspiracies that had been quashed or circumvented throughout her life.

The jeweled serpent on her sleeve represents Elizabeth shrewdness and wisdom some people also say that these folds are mouths of the folds in her dress here are mouths which also of course would allude to her spy Network into the fact that people are speaking to her she sees everything and she hears everything and of course her crown is Rich with pearls. This reiterates the idea of her choice of a life without marriage being dedicated solely to her kingdom Elizabeth’s hair and ears glistened with precious gems a testament to her renowned sense of fashion.

Records from 1587 show that she possessed a staggering 628 pieces of jewelry and upon her demise over 2 000 gowns were noted in her royal collection yet her extravagant attire was not merely a reflection of her Flair for fashion the 16th century was marked by strict dress codes these laws served as visual markers delineating social status and fostering order all the while ensuring unwavering allegiance to the crown one of the most lasting themes present in Elizabeth’s portraits is the subtle yet poignant portrayal of hers the Virgin Queen

This theme is vividly showcased in the rainbow portrait with pearls adorning her person’s stand as symbols of Purity the intricately knotted necklace underscores her virginity and while Elizabeth’s status as the Virgin Queen is emphasized with pearls and the Luminosity of her complexion it’s intriguing to consider the challenge that this posed in an age where women were still seen as inferior highlighting Elizabeth’s femininity was a bold statement yet this portrait masterfully creates an image of strength Purity and unwavering leadership.

The fairy queen by Edmund Spencer published in 1590 may have influenced this portrayal Elizabeth’s ethereal Aura may have been inspired by this allegorical work celebrating her reign with every detail in the rainbow portrait from the fiery orange clove adorned with the human eyes and ears and potentially mouths to the jeweled serpent The Narrative is clear Elizabeth is omnipresent omniscient and eternal it’s more than a portrait it’s a proclamation of her enduring Legacy a promise of England’s Golden Age under her role

So we’ll stop there thank you so much for watching if you have made it to the end of this video and enjoyed it I hope I have earned your subscription to my channel and a press of that like button I put out videos like this almost every day and who doesn’t want their YouTube algorithm tutor fight am I right thanks so much for watching um I appreciate you don’t forget to drink your water and I will be back again tomorrow

Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast, the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop.

She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 30 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history (how exciting when she got to interview Alison for the first time!). In addition to history, she is passionate about travel, and has lived in 3 countries and 4 states (not counting her perpetual state of confusion), and her family (who help her host her YouTube channel occasionally).

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