Artwork
Elizabeth, Queen of England
Elizabeth, Queen of England is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Crispijn van de Passe I. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Crispijn van de Passe I produced an engraved portrait of Elizabeth I in 1598. The print presents the monarch with a decorative floral wreath, a high ruffled collar, and an elaborate dress trimmed with lace and jewels. An oval frame surrounds her face, bearing Latin inscriptions that identify her as the sovereign of England, France, and Ireland.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait emphasizes Elizabeth’s regal authority, combining symbols of fertility—a crown of flowers—with the opulent attire befitting a queen. The Latin titles, including "ELISABETH DEI GR. ANG. FR. ET HIB. REGINA," assert her divine right and the extent of her rule over multiple realms, reinforcing her political legitimacy during a period of consolidation.
Technique & Style
Executed in copperplate engraving, the image relies on fine cross‑hatching to model light and texture across the fabric, jewelry, and hair. Van de Passe’s precise line work creates a delicate tonal range, while the ornamental border and typographic elements reflect the late‑sixteenth‑century English portrait tradition of integrating text and image.
History & Provenance
Created in the final years of Elizabeth I’s reign, the print circulated among courtiers and foreign dignitaries as a visual statement of her sovereignty. Copies of the engraving were distributed in England and abroad, contributing to the queen’s cultivated image; the original plate remains attributed to van de Passe’s workshop in the Netherlands.
Artist & collection
Artist
Crispijn van de Passe I (1564–1637) was an artist, born in Arnemuiden.
