Habit of Queen Elizabeth in 1559

by Thomas Jefferys

In this elegant engraving from the 18th century, Thomas Jefferys removes all the complications associated with later Elizabethan portraits and highlights only the naked glory of the coronation in 1559. This is an extremely detailed study of the Tudor Habit, demonstrating the rigid, architectonic structure of the English court costume.

Unlike the later representations of Elizabeth, who is portrayed as an eternal mask of perfection, this portrait by Jefferys captures the seriousness of a young queen taking up the burden of a broken country, dressed in ermine and gold.