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Primary sourcePainting1591

Sir Francis Drake, 1540-96

Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger · 1591

A 1591 portrait of Drake wearing the jewel given to him by Elizabeth I, posed beside a globe to celebrate his achievements.

This portrait shows Drake displaying the symbols of fame and royal favour he had won by this stage of his career.

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Three-quarter-length painted portrait of a bearded man in black clothing and a large white lace ruff, with a coat of arms and the date 1591 in the upper corners. He holds a hat at his side and a gold jewel hangs at his waist. A globe sits on a blue-green draped table at left.
Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Sir Francis Drake, 1540-96, 1591. Royal Museums Greenwich.

About this source

What it is

This portrait of Francis Drake was painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger in 1591. It shows him in black clothing with a large ruff, holding gloves, with a sword, a coat of arms, and a globe on a draped table beside him. He wears the gold and enamel 'Drake Jewel' given to him by Queen Elizabeth I. It is held by Royal Museums Greenwich.

Why it matters

Painted after Drake's role in defeating the Spanish Armada, this portrait presents him as a national hero at the height of his fame. The globe refers to his circumnavigation, the sword to his service to the crown, and the jewel and coat of arms to the wealth and status he had gained from a career that began humbly and included privateering raids against Spain.

  • Why might Drake have chosen these particular objects to be shown with?
  • What does the painting suggest about how Drake wanted to be remembered?
  • What parts of his career, such as his raids on Spanish ships, are not shown directly in the image?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Sir Francis Drake on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Secondary source

Golden Hind

1575 (as Pelican); renamed 1578

Circular miniature portrait of a bearded man with curly dark hair and a white ruff collar, wearing a white embroidered doublet with gold cords, against a bright blue background. Gold lettering reads 'Aetatis Suae 42' and 'Anno Domini 1581'.Painting

Primary source

Sir Francis Drake

Nicholas Hilliard · 1581

Early modern world map in two hemispheres, oval-framed, with the title 'Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae' across the top. Decorated with ships, sea monsters, a coat of arms, and cartouches; Asia, America, Africa and Terra Australis are labeled.Document

Secondary source

Vera Totius Expeditionis Nauticae

Jodocus Hondius I · 1595

Full-length painting of a woman in an elaborate black and gold-embroidered gown with a huge white lace ruff and pearl-studded jewelry, holding a globe with one hand. A jeweled crown sits on a table at left; a golden mermaid figure at right. Background panels show sailing ships on a calm sea and a stormy scene of ships battling waves.Painting

Primary source

Armada Portrait

Unknown English artist · 1588

Photograph of the Drake Jewel, a gold pendant set with rubies, diamonds and pearls, with a central oval cameo carved in brown stone showing a dark-skinned figure in profile. Two pearl drops hang below, displayed in a glass case.Artifact

Primary source

Drake Jewel

Nicholas Hilliard (miniatures); unknown goldsmith · c. 1586-88

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