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Primary sourcePaintingc. 1600

The Rainbow Portrait

c. 1600

A richly symbolic late portrait of Elizabeth I holding a rainbow, decorated with eyes and ears to suggest an all-seeing, eternal queen.

This allegorical portrait presents an idealised, ageless image of Elizabeth near the end of her reign.

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Painting of a woman with pale face, red hair, and an elaborate jeweled headdress, wearing a white lace ruff, pearl necklaces, and an orange embroidered gown. She holds a rainbow-like arc and a gray sleeve has a snake motif. Text reads 'Non sine sole iris' on the left.
Unknown artist (formerly attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger), The Rainbow Portrait, c. 1600. Marquess of Salisbury collection.

About this source

What it is

Painted around 1600, this portrait shows Elizabeth I in an elaborate jewelled gown holding a rainbow, with a motto reading 'no rainbow without the sun'. It is held in the Marquess of Salisbury's collection and was once attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger.

Why it matters

Made near the end of Elizabeth's reign, the portrait is full of symbolic devices, eyes and ears on her clothing, a snake motif, the rainbow and sun motto, that were meant to present her as all-seeing, wise and eternally youthful, despite her advancing age. It reflects the careful crafting of Elizabeth's public image in her final years.

Look closer

  • Why might the painter have given Elizabeth's dress eyes and ears?
  • What might the rainbow and the motto 'no rainbow without the sun' be saying about her rule?
  • How does this image compare with how an aging ruler might actually have looked?

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

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