Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait

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Illustration

Mark Cartwright
by William Segar
published on 22 May 2020
Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait Download Full Size Image

The c. 1585 CE 'Ermine Portrait' attributed to William Segar of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE). This painting takes its name from the ermine climbing the queen's left arm which was a symbol of purity and royalty (the animal even wears a crown as a collar to make the message doubly clear). She is holding an olive branch which symbolizes peace. The queen wears black - both the dress and her pearls - which symbolized constancy. She has a gold sword near at hand, perhaps the sword of state and so representing justice.

Hatfield House. Hertfordshire, England.

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Cite This Work

APA Style

Segar, W. (2020, May 22). Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12283/elizabeth-i-ermine-portrait/

Chicago Style

Segar, William. "Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified May 22, 2020. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12283/elizabeth-i-ermine-portrait/.

MLA Style

Segar, William. "Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 22 May 2020. Web. 26 Jul 2024.

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