The Rainbow Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I,
Attributed to Isaac Oliver (1556–1617)
Attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts (II) (1561–1636)
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Attributed to Isaac Oliver (1556–1617)
Attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts (II) (1561–1636)
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Her headdress is an incredible design decorated lavishly
with pearls and rubies and supports her royal crown. The
pearls symbolize her virginity; the crown, of course, symbolizes
her royalty. Pearls also adorn the transparent veil which hangs
over her shoulders. Above her crown is a crescent-shaped jewel
which alludes to Cynthia, the goddess of the moon
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with pearls and rubies and supports her royal crown. The
pearls symbolize her virginity; the crown, of course, symbolizes
her royalty. Pearls also adorn the transparent veil which hangs
over her shoulders. Above her crown is a crescent-shaped jewel
which alludes to Cynthia, the goddess of the moon
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The eyes and ears painted into the fabric of Elizabeth’s
dress in the Rainbow Portrait clearly imply a sense of
omniscience; as queen, she was able to hear and see all.
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dress in the Rainbow Portrait clearly imply a sense of
omniscience; as queen, she was able to hear and see all.
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Elizabeth's gown is embroidered with English wildflowers,
thus allowing the queen to pose in the guise of Astraea, the
virginal heroine of classical literature
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thus allowing the queen to pose in the guise of Astraea, the
virginal heroine of classical literature
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A jeweled serpent is entwined along her left arm,
and holds from its mouth a heart-shaped ruby. Above
its head is a celestial sphere. The serpent symbolizes wisdom;
it has captured the ruby, which in turn symbolizes the
queen's heart. In other words, the queen's passions
are controlled by her wisdom
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and holds from its mouth a heart-shaped ruby. Above
its head is a celestial sphere. The serpent symbolizes wisdom;
it has captured the ruby, which in turn symbolizes the
queen's heart. In other words, the queen's passions
are controlled by her wisdom
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