---
title: Elizabeth I Armada Portrait
author: George Gower
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12284/elizabeth-i-armada-portrait/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-02-19
---
# Elizabeth I Armada Portrait
_Authored by George Gower_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12284.jpg)
## Image Caption
The c. 1588 'Armada Portrait' attributed to George Gower of [Elizabeth I of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Elizabeth_I_of_England/) (r. 1558-1603). The title of this painting derives from the window behind the queen which shows the defeat of the [Spanish Armada](https://www.worldhistory.org/Spanish_Armada/) in a storm in 1588. There are several versions of this painting.
The black dress and cloak of the queen symbolize constancy while her many white pearls link her to the [Virgin Mary](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mary,_Mother_of_Jesus/). Looking youthful for her 57 years, the queen holds the handle of a fan in her left hand while her right is placed over a globe to symbolize [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/)'s imperial ambitions. Her hand is, not coincidentally, placed over North America where England's first colony was located, Virginia, named after the queen. Another symbol of [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) is the imperial crown on the left. On the right, there is a golden statue of a mermaid, perhaps a ship's figurehead to continue the maritime theme of the painting.
Royal Museums Greenwich, England.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Gower, G. (2020, May 22). Elizabeth I Armada Portrait. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Gower, George. "Elizabeth I Armada Portrait." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 22, 2020. .
### MLA
Gower, George. "Elizabeth I Armada Portrait." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 May 2020, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Armada_Portrait_Elizabeth_I_Queens_House.jpg) by [**George Gower**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Armada_Portrait_Elizabeth_I_Queens_House.jpg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 22 May 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.