---
title: Elizabeth I Darnley Portrait
author: Unknown Artist
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14898/elizabeth-i-darnley-portrait/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Elizabeth I Darnley Portrait

_Authored by Unknown Artist_

## Image File

[![Elizabeth I Darnley Portrait](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14898.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14898.png)

## Image Caption

A c. 1575 CE portrait of [Elizabeth I of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Elizabeth_I_of_England/) (r. 1588-1603 CE) known as the 'Darnley Portrait' after its one-time owner. The queen is wearing a less feminine dress than in later portraits but still has her usual pearls, symbol of purity. She holds an ostrich-feather fan and wears a pendant from her waist, perhaps gifts from the courtier who commissioned the work. The pendant is composed of a ruby surrounded by four [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) gods: [Minerva](https://www.worldhistory.org/Minerva/) (Wisdom), [Jupiter](https://www.worldhistory.org/jupiter/) (Sovereignty), [Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/venus/) (Love), and [Mars](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mars/) ([War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/)).

The portrait has the distinctive 'Mask of Youth' representation of the queen which would be replicated in many later portraits of Elizabeth. Behind the queen is an imperial crown. The colours of this painting have faded significantly - the orange dress would have once been bright red and the queen's face not quite so white.

National Portrait Gallery, London.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Artist, U. (2021, November 23). Elizabeth I Darnley Portrait. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14898/elizabeth-i-darnley-portrait/>
### Chicago
Artist, Unknown. "Elizabeth I Darnley Portrait." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 23, 2021. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14898/elizabeth-i-darnley-portrait/>.
### MLA
Artist, Unknown. "Elizabeth I Darnley Portrait." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Nov 2021, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14898/elizabeth-i-darnley-portrait/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Darnley_stage_3.jpg) by [**Unknown Artist**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Darnley_stage_3.jpg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 23 November 2021. 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.