The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (cropped)
On November 17, 1558, a young woman ascended the throne of England and would become one of the country’s greatest monarchs. By the time of her death in 1603, few people in England could remember a time when they were not Elizabethans.
The very long reign of Elizabeth I provided peace and stability, allowing the arts to flourish so that her era would prove to be a golden age. Art was a powerful device for royal magnificence and propaganda, and a large part of Elizabeth’s legacy is her captivating image.
In a richly illustrated lecture, historic royal palaces lecturer and guide Siobhan Clarke discusses the cult of Gloriana, which saw Elizabeth revered as a virgin goddess, and the queen’s image that increasingly relied on glittering jewels, gowns, and accessories. Clarke examines Elizabeth’s queenship through textiles, artifacts, and paintings by artists including Hans Eworth, Lucas de Heere, Nicholas Hilliard, and Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger that are among the holdings of Westminster Abbey, the Royal Collection Trust, and London's National Portrait Gallery.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
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*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
