Masterpiece Story: The Rainbow Portrait

Elizabeth I

Best known as the “Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth I was one of the greatest British monarchs to rule England and Ireland. She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and the only surviving child of Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife. Elizabeth I’s father is famous for his scandalous marriages and his break with Catholic Rome. At the time, this was seen as the ultimate sacrifice for love, but unfortunately, Boleyn was beheaded for treason three years after they married. During the first year of marriage, Elizabeth was born on September 7, 1533. At 25, she became Queen of England after her half-sister, Mary Tudor, died in 1558.

Royal Palace of Hatfield

The portrait of Elizabeth I, better known as The Rainbow Portrait, is currently hanging at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, UK. The house was built in 1485 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, John Cardinal Morton, who was King Henry VII’s minister. However, in 1538, Henry VIII acquired the Royal Palace of Hatfield house and it became the childhood home of Elizabeth I and her brother, Edward VI. According to Hatfield House’s website, it was here in the gardens that Elizabeth I learned she was the Queen of England. It states, “In 1558 Elizabeth was sitting under an oak tree in the Park when she learned of her succession to the throne. One of her first acts was to call her trusted advisers, including William Cecil, later Lord Burghley, together for her first Council of State which was held in the Banqueting Hall of the Palace.”

The Comission

Later, when Elizabeth I’s successor, James I, became King of England, he gave the house to chief minister Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, who tore down the royal palace and built the new, currently standing house. As a result, it is believed that Robert Cecil was the first owner of The Rainbow Portrait. Due to the timeline of Queen Elizabeth I’s death and Robert Cecil becoming the owner of Hatfield House, most scholars believe he commissioned the portrait. Such as Elizabeth Cleland and Adam Eaker, in the book The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England, reiterate this point. They mention the 1612 inventory of Hatfield House and how the portrait was most likely mentioned. However, they also propose another theory for its commission. Since the Cecil family was indebted to the Queen, perhaps this portrait was made in her honor. Queen Elizabeth I visited the Earl of Salisbury’s home in London, and inventory records show that she was given clothing gifts similar to the ones worn in The Rainbow Portrait.

So, what is unique about her clothing and the other symbolic objects shown in the portrait?

The Rainbow

First and foremost, The Rainbow Portrait is an allegory for Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. This is an undeniable fact since it was painted during the last year of her life. In this portrait, Elizabeth I is holding a rainbow with the inscription “Non sine sole iris,” meaning “No rainbow without the sun.” Perhaps this was a political reminder to her subjects that the wise Queen would spread peace and prosperity throughout her kingdom. This inscription might mean that Elizabeth I was England’s sun through her virtue.

As mentioned, why and for whom it was commissioned might remain a mystery. Yet, the symbols and images portrayed in this painting have a specific meaning. In art history, this is referred to as iconography.

The Serpent and Rainbow

One of this portrait’s first interpretations focuses on the serpent’s iconographic elements. As shown above, Elizabeth I’s left sleeve features a serpent and an armillary sphere. While these details might seem irrelevant, they have a purpose, as did all of Queen Elizabeth I’s portraits. In 1593, Cesare Ripa wrote a handbook called Iconologia, which explained allegorical symbols shown in art. Ripa’s interpretation of these two elements suggests they symbolize Elizabeth I’s intelligence.

Another theory is based on poetry written by John Davies, who happened to be employed by Robert Cecil. Davies wrote a poem in 1599 called Hymnes of Astraea, about the Greek goddess Astraea. These poems were based on two encounters with the Queen and her gown of rainbows. There are many similarities between Astraea and Elizabeth I, to suggest the portrait’s inspiration. For example, Astraea is the virgin goddess of justice, innocence, purity, and precision. Doesn’t that sound familiar?

What about the creepy eyes and ears painted on Elizabeth I’s dress?

Eyes and Ears

Lastly, one of the most interesting theories about this portrait corresponds to the eyes and ears of Elizabeth I’s cloak. It is unknown if the images were painted onto her cloak or embroidered. Regardless, multiple sources mention that the eyes and ears symbolize her and her advisors’ surveillance of Tudor society. This bold message is another political statement, enforcing her strong rule over England.

Overall, The Rainbow Portrait is full of symbolic imagery that contradicts each other. Was Elizabeth I trying to portray herself as a divine goddess or a ruthless political leader always watching over her people? We may never know.