Portret van Elizabeth I Tudor, koningin van Engeland before 1601

Christoffel van Sichem I created this print of Elizabeth I, Queen of England, using woodcut techniques. This image provides insight into the politics of imagery during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Elizabeth is portrayed holding the symbols of power, the orb and scepter. Note the detailed rendering of her elaborate gown and jewelry. These were visual codes that communicated her status, wealth, and authority. It's important to remember that portraiture of monarchs was often carefully controlled to project a certain image to the public. This print was made some years after Elizabeth's death, in the Netherlands, where there was great interest in the powerful Queen. We can ask, how does this image contribute to the myth of the ‘Virgin Queen’? What role did the printmaking industry play in constructing and disseminating this image? To understand this work better, we can turn to sources such as letters, literature, and political pamphlets from the period. By doing so, we can explore the complex social and political context in which this image of Elizabeth I was created and consumed.