Gower- armada portrait Flashcards
date
1588
symbols
pearls: purity and divinity
mermaid: command of the seas, feminine allure
fan: desirability
bows: largest pearl in painting positioned with bow over genital area sisplaying virginity and adding status to it
celestial sun imagrey and moons: power and enlightenment, control of the weather as she faces the sun
globe: foreign powers
pearl symbol
pearls: purity and divinity
memrmaid symbol
mermaid: command of the seas, feminine allure
fan symbol
fan: desirability
bow symbol
bows: largest pearl in painting positioned with bow over genital area sisplaying virginity and adding status to it
globe symbol
globe: foreign powers
celestial sun and moon symbols
celestial sun imagrey and moons: power and enlightenment, control of the weather as she faces the sun
how is this not an accurate representation of her beauty
had smallpox scarring, skins texture concealed (idealisation of queens beauty)
what was the function of the portrait
provided for her courtiers to show her power and beauty
often shown to citizens to portray her status
what does it suggest about the battle with the spanish armada
shows defeat of spanish armarda against Philip II
When was englands first colony in america established
4 years after this painting, virginia, shows desire for empire and illusion to power was true
positioning and treatment of the figure
dress embroided with ribbons, pearls, and suns
pearls in her hair
elaborate chair suggesting status
3/4 view suggesting status
right hand on globe (visual representation of her post armada speech of power)
right hand on globe significance
right hand on globe (visual representation of her post armada speech of power)
globe- desire for empire, international power, age of exploration
how is her desireability increased by image of fan
possible gift from courtier
what does the crown represent
status and imperial ambition
how many versions
3 versions, 1 in national gallery tripped on both sides
who was possibly the patron
Sir francis drake
who are the current owners
the tyrwhitt drake family
how is purity represented in her identity
-pearls signify purity and virginity
-was protestant
-moons and pearls together reference Cynthia, a goddess of the moon who is praised for her virginal purity
-was beyond child bearing age and known as the virgin queen making her seem goddess like and divine
-purity makes her more desireable to attract a political marriage
what does moons and pearls together represent
-moons and pearls together reference Cynthia, a goddess of the moon who is praised for her virginal purity
how is beauty represented as party of her identity
idealised and feminine
mermaid, feminine allure
how is power represented as part of her identity
globe
mermaid representing command of the seas
