PORTRAITS – SYMBOLS
There were no cameras or TVs during Tudor times. Tudor Kings and
Queens therefore asked painters to paint their portrait. Portrait
painters would be told how to paint the King or Queen (usually in a
very flattering way) and they used symbols to show their personality,
power and strength.
Common symbols used by Tudor Monarchs:
A Crown – to show Royalty
Sceptre – to show Royal Authority and importance in the World
Ermine – (animal fur) – to show wealth and Royalty
Symbol: Meaning:
Papers held in hand Involved in important business
Scholar’s cap or books Very intelligent
Velvet and furs Wealth
Pearls Purity
Flowers Youth
Sieve Virginity
Globe Important in the world
Sword of State Justice
Sun/ bright skies Brings peace and happiness
Storm clouds They can end bad times
Tudor Portraits:
Task 1:
Elizabeth in this portrait has just defeated Spain in the Spanish
Armada. She wanted to show this in her portrait. The painter also
includes a number of symbols in the portrait to show Elizabeth in a
number of different ways.
Symbol: I think the artist is trying to say ……..
Elizabeth’s hand is resting on
the globe
A Crown is lying nearby
Ships are sinking outside
Elizabeth is in clothes that
make her look very large
Other symbols?
Task 2:
Prepare ideas for your own ‘Royal Portrait’. You need to think about
the following:
What personality do you have?
What is your life like?
What interests do you have?
What do you want to do in the future?
To help you write you ideas for symbols in the box below:
Personality Traits: What symbol could you use?
Strong
Weak
Good
Evil
Brave
Cowardly
Clever
Stupid
Rich
Poor
Loving
Cruel
Feelings: What do these colours represent?
Green
Blue
Red
Yellow
When you are ready you can draw your ‘Royal Portrait’ all about yourself. You are
not allowed to use any words, just lots of symbols. Next lesson you will swap your
portraits and your classmates will write a description about what the portrait is
trying to say.