Artwork
Shield of Queen Elizabeth
Shield of Queen Elizabeth is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Simon van de Passe. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Simon van de Passe’s 1621 engraving, titled Shield of Queen Elizabeth, reproduces a silver medal design. The print depicts a heraldic shield topped by a crown and guarded by two dragons, with a surrounding banner bearing the motto “DIEV ET MON DROIT.” The composition is rendered in the intricate line work typical of early‑17th‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The shield’s four quarters combine symbols associated with English and French royal authority: three lions in the first and fourth quarters, a harp representing Ireland in the second, and three fleur‑de‑lis in the third, all underscoring the monarch’s claimed dominion over multiple realms. The motto on the banner, “God and my right,” reinforces the divine justification of sovereign power.
Technique & Style
Van de Passe employed fine engraving techniques to translate the relief of a silver medal onto paper, achieving delicate hatching and cross‑hatching that convey depth and texture. The overall aesthetic reflects Renaissance sensibilities, with balanced composition, classical heraldic motifs, and meticulous attention to ornamental detail.
History & Provenance
The print originates from a medal struck in the early reign of Elizabeth I, later adapted by van de Passe, a prominent Dutch engraver active in England. Produced in 1621, the work circulated among collectors of royal iconography, serving both as a commemorative image and as a demonstration of the engraver’s skill.
Context
During the early Stuart period, renewed interest in Elizabeth’s legacy prompted the creation of medals and prints that celebrated her reign. Van de Passe’s engraving fits within this trend, aligning with contemporary efforts to legitimize current monarchs by invoking the celebrated imagery of their predecessor.
Legacy
The Shield of Queen Elizabeth engraving remains a valuable reference for scholars studying early modern heraldry and the diffusion of royal propaganda through print. Its preservation in museum collections illustrates the enduring relevance of van de Passe’s work in documenting the visual language of monarchical authority.
Artist & collection
![Shield of Queen Elizabeth [left half], by Simon van de Passe](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/simon-van-de-passe--shield-of-queen-elizabeth-left-half--f4b61579dbc6b41d-w320.webp)
