Habit of Queen Elizabeth from Holbein in 1551

by Thomas Jefferys

This particular print, which was engraved by Thomas Jefferys and published during 1757, provides an interesting example of costume history. The print shows the “habit” or clothing worn by the young Queen Elizabeth I. This portrait has been identified as belonging to the school of Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1546-1551).

In this mid-18th century engraving by Jefferys, one can see how the geometric styles that were prevalent in the reign of King Henry VIII evolved into the lavish and bejeweled style that came to characterize the later reign of Queen Elizabeth I.