Elizabethan Paintings - What do we notice ?

Elizabeth I By Nicholas Hilliard

This painting by Nicholas Hilliard of Elizabeth I in her youth is a brilliant representation of youthful popular makeup in the Tutor times. The clear class of Elizabeth is also apparent dressed in her finery to present her power. The crown tilted slightly on her head and rose is also extremely youthful even in fashion today flower pieces and bands are extremely popular.

Elizabethan really enjoyed showing off how wealthy they were draping them selves in jewels and the most expensive pieces they have. A modern day selfie.

For Elizabeths makeup in this portrait its very traditional Elizabethan. The skin is extremely pale with her red hair contrasting; skin looks extremely clear to which could indicate her age as she contracted small pox at 28. I've also noticed Elizabeth actually has faint eyebrows unlike the paintings of her when she's older. Maybe removing eyebrows became a craze a few years later when Elizabeth was in her reign.

The colouring on her cheeks is a lip pink as is her lip though stained with what looks like it could of been a berry due to the shade. The cheeks look like a faint cerise colour maybe being a stain or powder. The expression on Elizabeths face has been captured in a slight smirk theirs a lot of proudness on her face. This woman knows she is of important.

I have noticed almost like photoshop is now Elizabeths features look a lot softer then they do in later life, the face is rounder and nose is softer at the end. Theres a youthful glow to her like her face isn't to caked on with the lead vinegar white face paint mix.

Elizabeth to a Elizabethan audience would of been seen as gorgeous. She had the red hair and pale skin a combination of great attractiveness. Remember Pale = Class.