In the Tudor Era, miniatures were private images, meant to be shared with intimate friends. They were often exchanged, and often worn on chains or hung from brooches.The original of this miniature, painted in 1572, was during a time in Elizabeth's life when she was under intense pressure from the claim of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots to the English Throne and also from news of protestant massacres in France. It was during this time that she seriously considered marriage to a young Frenchman to produce an heir and counter Mary's claims.
The miniature is one of Hilliard's earliest, and is the first he painted of Queen Elizabeth I.
The miniature, painted in the traditional style using traditional materials arrives in a 2.5" gold-metal round frame with a pendant loop.
