England's Renaissance Art Period 1300-1500
Elizabeth I of England (1585)
Painted by: William Segar
Location: Greenwich Palace
Interestingly enough the name of this painting came from the ermine climbing her arm. It is a symbol of purity and royalty. She is also shown holding an olive branch that stands for peace. The queen is wearing black as a symbol as constancy and a gold sword representing justice. The pearls symbolize chastity. As this says this painting is more than just another royal being represented but has a large amount of symbols portrays what being queen entails. William Segar was an officer of arms to the queen and a known portrait painter. An interesting fact was he was also known as a writer and was known for his manuscripts.
Elements:
Color is a strong use in this painting. It not only makes the queen the main focus of this painting but also makes the symbols hidden within stand out. You can see the structure of the queen is very straight and stiff portraying strength. The contrast within this painting makes her the only focus without distraction.
Placement:
She is placed in the very center and forefront giving her the main focus as a queen should be represented. The items like the window in the background have little importance the way they are placed with no defining features drawing the attention,
Emotion:
This painting draws out the feeling of deep meaning. You can feel the importance and the strength portrayed in just this simple portrait. You can easily feel that this individual is important even if you didn't know it was Queen Elizabeth.
Painted by: Hans Holbein
Location: England
This is a painting of French Ambassadors
. On the left is Jean de Dinteville, age 29, a French ambassador sent by the French king, Francis I to the English court of Henry VIII. On the right is Georges de Selve, age 25, the bishop of Lavaur, France.
Elements:
Light is strongly used in this painting. Unusual but the darker clothing and bright facial color make the two indivduals stand out. Like the others the lines are stiff and straight giving a strong sense of importance. The neutralized background colors help everything in front of it show more.
Placement:
The placement of each individual being separated but equally forward makes these two individuals show up first. Then the items all placed in between let you know they have a secondary importance.
Emotion:
You can feel the contemplating going on with these two men. What they have going on is important or that is how it seems. They have great knowledge and are working with many objects that help to expand that knowledge.
Edward Herbert,1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury
(1610-1614)
Painted by: Issac Oliver
Location: England
This is a portrait of the 1st baron Herbert of Cherbury. He was a famed poet, philosopher and statesman. Edward is said to be one of the most famous people of his time. This painting is supposed to be portrayed as romantic and whimsical.
Elements:
The lines in this painting are very relaxed. You can see lots of movement from the curvy lines. The colors are numerous and unlike most portrait paintings the individuals clothing is the dullest color in the painting.
Placement:
The placement is what gives Edward the sense of importance and the main subject of this artwork. He is much larger than anything else in the painting and placed to the forefront. The placement makes the individual and horse in the background obvious of the lack of importance.
Emotion:
This painting gives me a sense of laziness. it feel relaxed and calm. The background just gives the feeling of being in the middle of nature in a calm surrounding. It does have a romantic feeling. You can almost imagine a maiden strolling up with interest into the middle of this painting.
of Cumberland (1590)
Painted by: Nicholas Hillard
Location: Unknown
George Clifford was Queens champion and this painting greatly shows this. He was labeled as "Kind of Pendragon Castle." He had the queens favor. Nicholas Hillard was actually trained goldsmith. He became famous for his miniature portrait paintings. He became a service to the monarch.
Elements:
The element of lines is the big factor here. You can see how the stiffness gives a strong sense of importance. Creating all background and side items as a very dark makes them fall into the background and have very little importance. The coolness of the clothing and background makes the individual blend in with the sky ware the stance of George Clifford is the only thing that brings it forward.
Placement:
The placement plays a large importance in this painting. The front and center placement is what plays the largest role of making George stand out and show importance.
Emotion:
When it comes to emotion this painting feels strong. You can feel the strength and important status in the stance and positioning of George. It strongly makes you feel how much this person feels to the queen.
Work Cited
“George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland - National Portrait Gallery.” NPG 1492(c); George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery, www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw01666/George-Clifford-3rd-Earl-of-Cumberland. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
“Nicholas Hilliard - National Portrait Gallery.” Person - National Portrait Gallery, www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp07108/nicholas-hilliard. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
“One of the Finest Jacobean Portraits Is Purchased for the Nation and Will Remain at Its Historic Home in Wales.” One of the Finest Jacobean Portraits Is Purchased for the Nation and Will Remain at Its Historic Home in Wales | National Heritage Memorial Fund, 16 Aug. 2016, www.nhmf.org.uk/news/one-finest-jacobean-portraits-purchased-nation-and-will-remain-its-historic-home-wales.
Segar, William. “Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait.” World History Encyclopedia, https://www.worldhistory.org#organization, 22 May 2020, www.worldhistory.org/image/12283/elizabeth-i-ermine-portrait/.
“Symbolism in Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I.” Royal Museums Greenwich, www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/symbolism-portraits-queen-elizabeth-i. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
Younger, Hans Holbein the. “Hans Holbein the Younger, the Ambassadors.” Hans Holbein the Younger | The Ambassadors | NG1314 | National Gallery, London, 1 Jan. 1970, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-the-ambassadors#VideoPlayer95491.
“Visit Us.” George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland,1558-1605 | Royal Museums Greenwich, www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-42140. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
I think this was a great blog post, great job! I also find the renaissance period in England (or anywhere for that matter) to be really interesting and inspiring. I think all of the paintings were very beautiful and I love the royal subject matter. Surprisingly for myself, my favorite of these pieces was 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury. I think I especially liked this piece because it is of a slightly different style that makes it stand out a lot next to characteristic renaissance paintings. Also, the texture achieved is absolutely beautiful, mostly in the trees, and on Edward.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post, and a wonderful topic to choose. The first painting of Queen Elizabeth is iconic, but I'm glad you mentioned why the man painting her portrait was so interesting, considering he was a high noble and actually the Garter King of Arms! I feel like most portraiture we see around this time comes from an artist who paints full-time, but Segar was more of a hobbyist with a talent for royal portraits.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work put together. I, too, love the feelings these paintings give off. I especially admire the first work of art by Segar. I agree that the portrait of the Queen gives off important and strong vibes, because of her appearance and pose. I find her dress so outstanding and eye-catching because of the gold-like color and just the way her dress was made. The painting by Oliver does seem to differ than the other pieces you chose, and that is cool. It gives off more of a relaxed and romantic vibe; I do agree with you that nature brings a calm and peaceful feeling into this painting. The painting by Hillard seems so fierce, and Clifford's stance does give off most of the powerful impression. Did you know that George Clifford was a gambler?
ReplyDelete