Symbolism.
The cult of Elizabeth. - notes from seminar.
Elizabeth often used her portraits as propaganda campaigns to win the loyalty of the people while also leaving symbolic objects in the pictures to help her subjects who could not read translate how she is helping her country through image rather than text. Much like today, how we use advertisements to sell people things such as designer brands. However, like the present day how we use photoshop Elizabeth requested a stencil be made of her that all artists should follow. This meant that many of her paintings she didn't like were never released for the public to view and often the images were not a true representation of what she looked like.
Throughout the years her facial features do not change but the style of the paintings do. Elizabeth only wanted to portray certain characteristics to her people and the others would be ignored and left out of images for example she was always portrayed as young and ageless even at 60 years of age.
Types of Symbolism in portraits.
- The Tudor Rose - Monarchy and the Virgin Mary
- Rainbow - Peace
- The Serpent - Wisdom
- The Pelican - Self Sacrifice and a mother love for her subjects
- The Phoenix - Resurrection
- A Sieve - Virginity and Purity
- Moon and Pearls - To emphasise Elizabeth's Virginity like the ancient greek goddess of the moon, Dido.
- Celestial Globe - Power and Wisdom
- Dogs - Faithfulness
- Gloves - Elegance
- Crowns and Orbs - Monarchy.
- Olive branch - Peace
- Ruby - Queen's Heart
- Books - Pious Protestantism
- Weasel - preparedness to defend her country
Reference Website for notes on Symbols: http://www.rmg.co.uk/explore/sea-and-ships/in-depth/elizabeth/representing-the-queen/symbols-and-emblems-used-in-elizabeth-portraiture
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