The Pregnancy Portrait of Elizabeth 1. Taking a close look at the painting. By David Shakespeare.

A more detailed pdf on this topic available at.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Z-0i...
The video describes a detailed analysis of the painting currently labelled "Unknown woman in Persian dress" by Marcus Gheeraerts, and hanging in the Haunted Gallery of Hampton Court Palace.
I present evidence that the subject is a pregnant Elizabeth 1. I have decoded the complex allegories within the painting, including a link to Shakespeare's poem The Phoenix and the Turtle.
I have proposed how the painting looked originally and how and why changes were made to it.
I give my interpretation of the meaning of the painting in order to stimulate further study and interest.
Join me in having a really close look at this wonderful painting, which I believe is one of the most important Elizabethan artefacts, from which there is much still to learn.

[@virginiarparker9503]

I have never seen a masterpiece. It is on my bucket list. I am a goat farmer in Mississippi. This was so interesting to me that I stayed with it to the finish to see more. Thank you for your time. I will look at other old paintings with a different eye for sure.

[@piccalillies]

That is so beautiful, Virginia!!

[@HorsethiefAnnie]

Get yourself into New Orleans! There are great museums in every major city. They are always better in person. Understanding the context helps, so find out about the permanent collection, & any traveling exhibition. By sponsoring a museum you are informed of new events. You can also follow many museums on Facebook or Instagram.

[@Nikybeez]

I'll agree with the last person that replied to you here. Head out to a museum. Your state is not terribly far from Wash. DC. The best part is that you have numerous museums and they are FREE! The Smithsonian museums are a treasure trove of knowledge, history, art, beauty, culture... It's worth the trip.

[@lighttheway4694]

That is a wonderful goal. It’s great to study art, watch videos and see high quality photos of it. BUT - there is nothing like seeing a masterpiece in real life. To see the brushstrokes up close, the textures, the mixture of color. The most amazing thing is, for me, to feel the “essence” of the artist in their work. I really think it carries some of the artist’s energy. I will never forget the day I saw Van Gogh’s The Starry Night; and Man in Yellow Hat took my breath away. Start by checking to see what paintings are at the museum nearest you. Enjoy.

[@jennymartin547]

That such a beautiful dream. I am a London based artist who loves goats. Maybe we could do a Freaky Friday.

[@leannegravelle2801]

To me, this is clearly Arbella Stuart. She is known to have been pregnant around this time. She would have also been a noble and worn expensive clothing such as this. She also did look somewhat similar to Queen Elizabeth I, but they have different noses.

[@mttaylor129]

Interesting idea and good research. When I looked up Arabella Stuart, many paintings show her with clearly brown hair, and some with red, like Elizabeth’s.

[@maggiebrookes-buttwriter3230]

I came across this by accident and was completely engrossed. Thank you for this scholarly and gripping story.

[@sweettina2]

Absolutely beautiful painting, and a wonderful analysis. I am in no fashion qualified to analyze paintings, but, as a mother I found a couple things to which I relate: during pregnancy our feet and hands can often swell, making it difficult to wear rings. I wore my wedding rings on a gold chain necklace when my hands were swollen. Also, see where she is holding her back with her left hand? That's exactly where your back aches worse during pregnancy. As a nurse and a mother, childbirth can be the worst pain they will ever feel....It's b a d. Especially if you're petite. That sounds oversimplistic, doesn't it? Oh well. Lol, isn't it hanging near the birthing chamber? It seems I heard something to that effect, immediately I knew what the old gal was going through. Thank you, it was very interesting! I've loved and read about art since I was a little girl, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@clvuvfx]

My mom was petite when she had me and my sister which it was worse because she was pregnant with twins and she had to use two hands on both of her sides because its where it hurt the most

[@skadiwarrior2053]

She has her hand on her hip , not her back. She also has her fingers curled, so not even resting flat.

[@jaybee4118]

@@skadiwarrior2053 this. Her hand is clearly not holding her back.

[@avlasting3507]

Thank you. Yes, great analysis. The rings on a necklace (because the fingers would be swollen), holding her arched back, and bulged abdomen all indicate pregnancy.

[@joecurran2811]

Really good comment this

[@pointsettaqueen]

I wish there were more in depth interpretations of this type. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@isabelleon3360]

Sister Wendy is excellent

[@thebee8415]

You have changed me. I will never look at a painting in haste again. I’ll always remember your wonderful commentary, that was gripping, well done.

[@christinethornhill]

Marvellous narration, I would thoroughly enjoy a book reading from your good self . It's a pleasure to listen to a clear voice. Thank you

[@winterweib]

I watched it because of my interest in history. But I stayed like paralysed for the wonderful and incredible interesting lecture., which was brought to us by the wonderful voice of a real lover of the subject. I am thankful from my heart. Would never had thought a lecture of a painting could be so outstanding. I had not a single uninterested second, and I will watch this again and again. Many greetings and wishes from Berlin in Germany!

[@winterweib]

P.S: I forgot to mention: For me that flower is a lily. They have those long yellow- um, _Staubfäden_ ^ , and look otherwise too somewhat similar.

[@Santu7220]

"When you are dressing a wound, pain is pain´s medicine" - pain alerts the immune system that that place of the body needs repair and the healing innate body substances are sent there. Sensing the pain does also mean that that place in the body is still alive, the connection to the nerves intact and also the brain area intact. (to 31min41)

[@tarawinans8034]

The idea of these being part of a set really resonated. The three Phoenix signalling death and rebirth and the Astraea painting makes one wonder where the crone is. Maid. Mother. Crone.

[@delarahmoore104]

Dont know much about art, but am an avid history fan. This was an extremely well done and interesting video. Thank you for your explanations. I enjoyed watching.

[@siege268]

I don't know what it is about your voice, it's clear and calming. You're information is compelling. I appreciate your great efforts to provide us with such an excellent tale, I can imagine everything you describe. Delightful!

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Thank you so much. There is more intrigue in the other videos! Kind regards David

[@triskerslake3763]

A fascinating discussion and so beautifully paced. The clues, once seen, cannot be unseen. What a delicious mystery. Many thanks for bringing this portrait to life.

[@MrSludov]

Why you brittons seem to be so delighted when you discover you have been miserably FOOLED by your historians for centuries? It must have something to do with the sickeningly sadomasochistic tendencies that are evident in the personality of the average Brit to any foreign observer, a penchant for enduring so much hypocrisy in their personal relationships and being utter monsters in their hearts.

[@argusfleibeit1165]

That was great! Fascinating. I felt at times you were stretching it, as to what was there and what it meant. When you made the first reference to it portraying and unhappy woman, I would not think that from just a cursory look. But the sonnet gives no doubt. Too bad we will never get to the bottom of some of these things. I have such a quandary in my own family, with a long-lost half-brother I discovered too late to ask my mother about. Speculation can be an entertaining pastime, or it can be a wound that never can be healed.

[@ariellehart9312]

I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis of this beautiful painting. Thank you for introducing this marvelous portrait to us through KZbin. I have so appreciated it!

[@rachaelrogers2104]

Thank you I absolutely delighted around every corner along with you. I enjoyed your knowledge,objectivity, and appreciate your time and effort. My applause.

[@desertdragonworksaz]

This is fascinating. I am not a scholar, but an artist... and I have a myriad of ideas floating around in my head. Thank you so much for your close look at this painting. I am intrigued!

[@dawnbarker6208]

Fantastic!!!!! Thanks so much for posting it, speaking as one who appreciates the brilliant finds of others, not being able to do it alone.

[@madonnawayne4130]

Maybe Eliz. is the figure, and the pregnancy is a metaphorical depiction of a barren reign leaving no bloodline of Elizabeth.

[@Lulu-ut9pv]

Maybe she wanted to see what it would look like to see a pregnant painting of herself this is still at a time where a queens sole duty is to produce many children and a much needed Male heir, having a ruling queen made it risky to be pregnant as illness and death affected 1/3 of every woman during this time. We may never know who thos lady is but it is a beautiful painting

[@tinahamilton9058]

That's a pretty convoluted interpretation.

[@shelleyjordan3800]

I was thinking something similar...the three pheonixes being Edward IV, Mary I and then herself, the rings and the tongues of secrecy representing a special lover who should have been hers to marry except it would have meant giving up her rightful power, the stag a symbol of the last male to show an interest before she turned him away and she went into menopause, the pregnancy--barely concealed under extravagant robes--a symbol of her sacrifice; mourning she had produced no progeny to emerge from the flames.

[@TobiasTurkelton]

@@shelleyjordan3800 That's a really great interpretation! You should repost outside this thread so it gets more attention.

[@genli5603]

@@Lulu-ut9pv Nah. 5 percent chance of death. Not a third. High. Not that high.

[@artisallthat]

You might also want to take a look at "the lost dress of Queen Elizabeth 1" The dress was found in a church and is covered with floral illustrations, birds and animals. There is a 5 petaled lily looking flower that is yellow as well as a real lily.

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

Yes. The fabric of the dress in the painting is reminiscent of the embroidered fabric in the remnant of Elizabeth’s dress. Light background, bright , opulent, embroidery.

[@janemorrow6672]

The Bacton Alter cloth.

[@Lulu-ut9pv]

Elizabeth hand 100s of dresses, despite this nearly all were lost, and a select few have been confirmed as legit such as the nearly intact fabric found in the church as it was given to a good friend/ lady of the chamber of eliz1, we may never know without evidence to prove it or not

[@artisallthat]

@David Shakespeare I can't wait : )

[@annacrivano413]

I was thinking about that dress!!!

[@rosanhawkins9213]

Love this video, it’s a lovely, yet logical explanation. Thank you for the close up look, it was amazing! Study historical clothing and have seen copies of this painting many times, without seeing the significance of portrait or the detailed beauty of her clothing. Thank you again and hope there will be more!!!

[@three2267]

Your lecture was fascinating. So much was added, (or deleted) in artwork of the time to symbolize issues of the day. Although many portraits had corrective, restorative and repair work done over time, the original artist's work was very drliberate. I found myself wanting those shoes.

[@lamoon1525]

I very much enjoyed the lecture of a subject that I find fascinating. Thank you

[@dianaalmeida6790]

I agree with your observations David Shakespeare, the painting is extremely allegorical and full of concealed symbols, it's definitely connected to Elizabeth the I . The shoes are also a big give away, blue pearls are fitted for a queen. Francis Walsingham hair color is different and Lettice Knollys hypothesis as someone presented bellow is also highly improbable, the Stag allegory only makes sense on Elizabeth's court context not on the other two characters. The pregnancy can also be seen as symbolic in the painting and not an actual event.

[@dianeshelton9592]

No where do you mention a very prominent royal lady who had had her 2 boys taken away from her and who died of depression. She was widely regarded as being a heir to the queen for much of her life. Also a known redhead. A depressed royal redhead who had had her 2 boys taken away from her. Lady Katherine Grey. A very good fit for this portrait and all the royal allegorical features. Especially the comment which is very apt, pain is pains medicine. Ie pain sometimes helps masks additional pain. I find your analysis doubtful. You ignore the input from historical costumers and say you have considered ALL other females it could have been. You missed out one very likely one with no mention whatsoever. Not one little bit convinced and I could have been if only you had been more open to actually acknowledging that this is your own personal interpretation but have proclaimed that yours is the only interpretation that makes sense. When it really isn’t.

[@claudeusgothicus6453]

@Laura Streeter amateur costume historian - fixed it

[@claudeusgothicus6453]

@Laura Streeter - Well 'my dear' since you didn't post your credentials as a professional, I'll stick with amateur, which is basically my realm. So yeah, I'm already familiar with the ropa, but thanks anyway for the nonrequested explanation 'my dear'. Cheers

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@claudeusgothicus6453 Kat Grey gets my vote.She & her sisters had such sad lives.Does anybody know what happened to the boys?

[@ulrikethaetner]

@@susanmccormick6022Catherine was separated by her husband and eldest son. She never saw them until her death. Edward, Lord Beauchamp died age 50 and lies next to his parents in the Salisbury Cathedral. Thomas died age 37 and lies in St Margaret's Church, Westminster next to his wife.

[@kerim.peardon5551]

I have to say I'm not convinced the woman is pregnant. Elizabethan clothing is not my forte, but I know from having made and worn 14th century clothing, seam placement makes a huge difference to how the body looks. Before I started making clothing, I wondered why 14th century women all looked sway-backed and pregnant. When I made a dress that had proper seaming and fit, the question answered itself. They were not stylistically depicted; the seams and fit create that look perfectly. If the robe in the portrait was of a heavy material, the stiffness and angles of the folds makes sense. It would also mean that the rings are not rounding out over a belly, but over the thick, puffy edge of the robe opening. Elizabethans, especially late in Elizabeth's reign, liked things to be stuffed, fluffed, and raised. Raised embroidery was popular, with stuffing or cording behind the embroidery causing it to rise off the fabric. So it can't be assumed that the embroidery on the robe is flat; it could be dimensional, adding its own extra level of poofiness. Not totally dismissing the idea, but I'd like to see someone who is an expert in Elizabeth costume recreate this gown and place it on a petite woman (because Queen Elizabeth was tiny) and then place it on a similarly-sized pregnant woman. Until you make something and put it on, you never really know how it looks.

[@soniamacdonald9193]

Thank heavens, an intelligent response!

[@mnossy11]

Absolutely correct. From the beginning, the presenter seemed to lack knowledge of the period clothing and undergarments. The shaping made by a farthingale and bum pads, petticoats, etc all can easily make this silhouette with a wrap gown on top.

[@bkaips]

So interesting! Thank you... probably the best thing I've watched during this quarantine 👍

[@artisallthat]

I like your investigative process. I've watched the series Fake or Fortune and this painting certainly has been painted over and changed. Really needs to be cleaned, xrayed and analyzed by the paint layers. It's a very messy picture. The dress stands out from all the other elements as being crisp and well painted. The background is very murky.

[@Susie_Floozie]

A fascinating analysis! I wonder if this amazing portrait will ever be X-rayed to detect what may be lurking under all those layers of overpainting.

[@dianadurnell9677]

Yes, an x-ray of this painting would be a good idea.

[@bethflynn4278]

Brilliant lesson on this painting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@brittletip8191]

I must admit that this painting reminds me of the Empress tarot card in the Rider Waite deck, complete with stream Woods fruit and in other cards a stag. The empress stands for creativity, fertility, Abundance, Beauty and ultimate feminine power.

[@hollytomas8905]

Yes! I was thinking the same! I love the empress card in that deck, and the portrait reminds me even more of the empress in the, is it called, The Mythic Deck?

[@istudios225]

Same thoughts here. The cartouche could be covering the glyph for Venus, as found on tarot cards. Or maybe the cartouche itself is a stylised depiction of the Venus glyph.

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

Imbolc time!!

[@dominadors4795]

Thankyou for this video. SUGGESTION: I think it might help to look at this as Elizabeth the woman, rather than Elizabeth the Queen. Rather than a mystery baby, is it not far more likely that this painting of loss, fertility, and spoken love is a reflection of the sacrifices she made in her personnal life for her reign? At her age she would have been facing the menopause, signifying the end of her prospect of having a child. This might be signified by the cut branch, symbolising the end of the Tudor line. It is also well documented that Elizabeth was in fact in love with Robert Dudley, and even considered marrying him when his wife "fell down the stairs". But the crown could not be associated with such scandal so she had to sacrifice this great love for her reign as Queen. If the two portraits were indeed a pair, the rainbow portrait portrays her as a Queen, all powerful etc, but this portrait may portray her as the woman she might have been. One portrait speaks of power, one of loss. It is highly unlikely that Elizabeth I would have ACTUALLY recorded herself as pregnant if she had been. Even her ladies in waiting were fervent about keeping her reputation as the " virgin queen". She would hardly announce that she had had a bastard child. More likely she is signifying that her greatness came at a cost. She gave up her purpose as a woman ( to give birth to an heir) for her responsibility as Queen. Not only that, but it has been suggested that after her mother was executed, along with one of her stepmothers, whilst two other stepmothers died from complications in childbirth, along with her sisters desperation to produce an heir which resulted in.an unpopular marriage to a Spanish monarch, Elizabeth might just have judged marrying and having children as too risky for a Queen. In an era of great instability, Queen Elizabeth 1st reign was a long period of stable reign for England. I would love to see this portrait properly tested and analysed. If it was then edited in the reign of James 1st, is it not more likely that he wanted this portrait of sorrow at the end of the Tudor line? It would suggest that she thought his reign was something to be mourned. He would not have appreciated the sentiment. A note: Queen Elizabeth I did have close links to the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan, like Elizabeth, was excommunicated by the Catholic Church. She even had a resident ambassador in Istanbul ( at that time constantinople). In a portrait set in a timeline where Elizabeth had been married, why not have her in.the clothing of an Empire she worked so hard to form alliances with? Would her foreign garb not clearly state " this did not happen in real life"?

[@SultanaP]

Fantastic video and interesting comment here. With all the new technology available today and in the future, it will be interesting to see what future facts will show. I highly doubt that a woman would be 'portrayed' as pregnant if she wasn't, but that's just my intuition on this piece.

[@Celisar1]

Purpose as a woman?? This is either extremely sexist or really poorly put. I hope you meant to say „purpose as a ruler“.

[@annier6835]

@@Celisar1 Perhaps avoid retro-fitting modern attitudes into the 1600s. In those times women were indeed viewed as primarily child-bearers, housekeepers and resources for men.

[@dominadors4795]

@@Celisar1 no, I meant purpose as a woman (in terms of Tudor expectations. Pretty rubbish being a woman in Tudor England). Read my comment through again. Hope thats clear. 🙏

[@annamack5823]

@@Celisar1 🙄

[@marylloyd2342]

Thank you so much for this video. I am neither a scholar nor an artist, but you have opened my eyes to all that lies behind this painting and allowed me to appreciate it. Oh, that you had done a series analysing other paintings for me.

[@michelehood8837]

A gorgeous and richly-themed painting ❤️ One can only imagine how much more beautiful this piece was before it was altered!

[@Pryanksters]

In regards to the quote "pain is pain's medicine" I argues, especially in light of the preceding statement in the quote, that it implies the need to learn from pain - thus healing (ie. being medicine for the pain).

[@dominiquebouilliez2039]

Pain in french is bread. Bread was used to stop infection in a wound as pre penicillin, it had antibiotic qualities.

[@allim.5941]

I think “pain is pain’s medicine” means face your fears. For example, if u r scared of public speaking, the way that u solve that is through doing a ton of public speaking. As for the pregnancy portrait, whenI was in college and admittedly it was a basic art appreciation course, we were taught that the reason why they would paint women heavily pregnancy on wedding portraits was so that it would emphasize that they were fertile, not because they were pregnant. Essentially, kind of like good luck. Maybe back then, if they would have seen this portrait, it was saying, “I can still have children”.

[@filipematias5127]

Correct

[@ktrainbow9765]

If that were the case, why does the poem not reflect the painting 🤔🧐

[@maearcher4721]

@@ktrainbow9765 I think the poem suggest Elizabeth was having regrets about never marrying and never having children, hence ending Tudor dynasty. The portrait where she looked young and pregnant, might have been for her a mirror of Erised. Image of something she really wished for, but for various reasons(cruel injustice she mentions) never gained.

[@ktrainbow9765]

@@maearcher4721 I'm sure the artist and person who commissioned this painting are both laughing at us from beyond the grave going "that's not the reason why!! Hahahaha!" Kinda like an archeologist who finds a QVC code on a grave marker 2000 years from now and says "it must be for religious reasons." Lol interesting analysis of the video for sure.

[@genli5603]

Except they weren't being painted as pregnant. It's just people misunderstanding underclothes and positioning.

[@joannietrotter2344]

The way she stands in the portrait, with her left hand resting in the crook of her back, is such a common pose of a heavily pregnant woman who's suffering from back ache. She also looks like she's 'dropped'.. as in the baby is laying low in the womb, not far from being born. Any mother will recognise that pose and that body shape, the artist got it spot on.

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello Joannie, Thanks for your observation. I agree she is pregnant, although many argue that it is just the shape of the robe. I am trying to figure out a way of demonstrating this . Regards David

[@gloglos100]

If she was pregnant it would have been a high point in her life and something to treasure, worth recording for herself while managing the illusion of virgin queen. Remember she did more than is generally discussed like her slave running and her plantations with Irish branded slaves then added in the black. The issue of the men and more…oh dear. I hope she had the joy of a pregnancy and birth. And celebrated with the sensitive beauty of this despite suffering caused.

[@juanitarichards1074]

We know that pregnant Tudor era ladies added an extra panel onto their skirts to accommodate their growing girth - that was for day time formal wear when they were in public. We hear descriptions of Anne Boleyn having to add extra panels to her skirts and she complained that pregnancy was ruining her figure. But we also know that she wore rich glamorous loose night robes when in the privacy of her apartments. As the virgin queen, there is no way, had Elizabeth been pregnant, that she would have allowed any portraits to be painted of her.

[@AshleyLebedev]

Agree with this

[@sarosch]

I dunno…. There are some things we don’t know about the Queen at that time. History gets rewritten every time someone gets a chance these days!

[@juanitarichards1074]

@@sarosch In a court full of nosy parkers, gossips, actual spies and the queens enemies, they couldn't have hidden a pregnancy for long. The queen was never alone and had her lades with her all the time, even sleeping in her bedchamber. Her whole life was lived in public and even her menstruation a matter of state. She was scrutinized night and day and her enemies would have loved a scandal like that.

[@sarosch]

@@juanitarichards1074 There are times she actually was able to achieve her own privacy. There are weeks when she was gone for longer than expected. We do not have every minute of her life accounted for, and neither is it all on record. Just as well. Give the Lady some space! 🤗

[@juanitarichards1074]

@@sarosch What we call privacy and what they called privacy are 2 different things. Even when she went on progress for weeks she had a great entourage with her, and when staying in other people's manors she still had ladies sleeping in her room with her. They didn't even have privacy on the toilet or in their bath. And I am giving her a break by dispelling the stupid rumours that she ever had an illegitimate child. Plus when she was contemplating marrying Anjou she had to provide proof of virginity and that she was a normal woman able to have children, despite her age. So she was examined by a group of doctors and midwives who did indeed pronounce her virginity and that her sex organs were normal. This was to dispel rumours she she was a man, and that she was abnormal and unable to have children, and that she was not a virgin and had had secret bastard children. And she was at very real risk of losing her throne and her country if any of those things could be proven. So she never did take that risk.

[@spiritwardiaries]

This is an incredible amount of work! Loved it.

[@dorasneddon774]

Fascinating! Thank you for such a detailed look and analysis of what is apparent and what may be concealed. Tantalizingly, there is clearly much more to be revealed!

[@tamarrajames3590]

I just came across this, and want to thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable hour as you investigate this painting. Now I must go in search of other offerings by you.🖤🇨🇦

[@carolkristian1146]

Wonderful dissertation on this mysterious painting. I wish I could take you along with me to the DeYoung museum, where I spent me life examining and wondering about the collection of beautiful paintings. You certainly taught me so much. Thank you again.

[@casteretpollux]

There's a very good youtube on Elizabethan portraits which explains that most portraits of Elizabeth were not sat for but based on 1 of 2 portraits from life from which 'patterns' were taken. They all show her with a raised hairline, no eyebrows, heavy-lidded eyes, a slightly protruding lower lip, long pointed nose with a bump and red hair, dressed up. None of these identifying features are presentvin the Hampton Court portrait. I do think the portrait is wonderful in its compostion and imagery and is an intriguing poetic and allegorical portrait of a young woman in Anatolian / Middle Eastern dress. The woman in the portrait has long dark hair, by the way.

[@gloglos100]

A wonderful video thank you. Extremely beautiful painting. I am so glad you posted this.

[@jacquelinegibbs9483]

Brilliantly conveyed. Look forward to more of your in depth work.

[@Santu7220]

The flower in question with the gold brim does remind me of a wild - and therefore smaller in shape and size- version of orchids as they grow nowadays. The same moment also inspired a memory of Wales and the yellow flowers on the bushes with a hint-of-coconut milk-smell. This is before 23.07min, where I do feel I see a rosehip bending towards the lower right corner. This gives me- under the impression of the topic discussed the idea of seasons that would indicate conception and current progress of a possible pregnancy. I enjoy this presentation immensely, the idea is new to me and I feel taken by the hand step-by-step in a professional and non-patronizing way.

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello there, Many thanks for your observations. I will have a look in Gerard's plant book from the 16th century to see if they were around then. I do agree about the autumnal feel of the picture, the upturned leaves floating in the stream being another element. I read this as the end of a reign. Kind regards David

[@juliamahler415]

Thank you for your video. You have made a fascinating study and I must say very convincing.I wait, excitedly, for the results of future exploration of the portrait, hopefully with x-ray to confirm what does in fact lie beneath.

[@keikiokaaina1951]

Fascinating and well presented. Thank you!

[@therealdonnawagner]

This was great! Thank you so much for sharing such detailed evidence and thoughts on this piece. Very interesting information you've presented, to be sure.

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Thanks Donna, There are four more videos now which continue the story. I have now decoded the poem in the cartouche. I think you will find where it leads quite interesting. Regards David

[@misticl1244]

This video was absolutely lovely and I greatly appreciated your analysis! I quite agree that this painting needs further interrogation and most definitely to be x-rayed! Thank you for sharing your work :)

[@jodydiou]

This was BEAUTIFULLY done!!! I can tell how much work you put into this one matter! GREAT JOB!! 👌 BRILLIANT!!!

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Thanks Jody, There are four more videos now which continue the story. I have now decoded the poem in the cartouche. Regards David

[@Short-Cipher]

@@davidshakespeare1767 Lordy, I've just seen this as of 19 May 2021 (& subscribed to your channel after watching your recently posted & extremely impressive video on the Vertue/et al.-Shakespeare-[de Vere(?)] miniature/sketches just last night (having been guided to you via a @deveresociety tweet). It's late now but I'll need to return to see if you've posted anything else on this fascinating painting yet as you indicated was your intention in the foregoing comment. I've witnessed a lot of back and forth harangue on this portrait in Oxfordian circles (including Altrocchi) over the past 2+ decades. I must say your penetrating research and informed instincts (that sounds like an oxymoron but I don't mean it as such) made everything I've observed that came before pale in comparison. Kudos and bravo to you, sir.👏 And thank you: Interesting, informative, thought-provoking, and entertaining for those of us with a particular interest in the matter.

[@AuntLizzie]

What a wonderful description of this portrait - thank you.

[@tommytooter2895]

What a beautiful analysis--beautiful both in depth and in voice. I have to read this book.

[@daughterofpatriots3165]

In 1600 (the year the portrait was created) Elizabeth (born 1533) I would have been 67 years old. She had a cousin on the Boleyn side Lettice Knollys born 1547 making her 14 years younger than Elizabeth. She looked remarkably like Elizabeth, and married her favorite Robert Dudley. She had quite a number of children...she had a slightly fuller and softer face than her cousin as well...this could be her. Though for 1600 she would have been past child bearing age.

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

I do not believe it is Elizabeth, I agree with you, that she would have been too old for child bearing, and, she would not have allowed such a thing to happen, remember she had to consider a future heir for England after her death, no way would she have had an illegitimate child, she would have wanted an honest son to succeed her. Either, De Vere commissioned the portrait in order to slur the Queen's reputation or it was a way of saying how he had been wronged...But I stand by Elizabeth reputation of the Virgin Queen, if she had had a child at all it would have been Dudley's she loved him, but even then it would have had to have legitimate, which would mean marriage and that was NEVER going to happen.

[@bubblemum]

@@ladymeghenderson9337 There is also a rumor that Seymore impregnated her as a young teen when she was living at the home of him and Henry's final queen.

[@annereidy7981]

By 1600, Elizabeth was pretty much past being deposed or assassinated by anyone. She could reasonably expect to indulge her griefs in private, if she wanted to! Who could use the portrait as a proof of anything beyond its symbolism? And who else but a Queen could afford to wear blue pearls without risking that Queen's ire for being better decorated than her Queen? It is, I believe, a Queens final statement of regret that her life was dedicated to other paths than the one of personal fulfilment.

[@berniej.janinsky4098]

Thanks for the impute. Didn't know any of this. Learn Something New Everyday!

[@marieciaburri4057]

,excellent points

[@margyduke1136]

Brilliant presentation...thank you! “pain is pain’s medicine” = no pain, no gain

[@WarmFuzzyVibes]

Fascinating exploration of this painting! Thank you!

[@fortheearth]

Fantastic lecture. Brilliant detailed analysis. Thank you for sharing this!

[@Irina-lh9gn]

This is utterly fascinating !

[@dianecostanza]

I disagree that she, whoever she is, is pregnant. voluminous clothing can easily be bulky in the front when worn by a woman causing the necklace to flow over the fabric and not necessarily a pregnant stomach. Beside the point that many gowns of antiquity were created with folds at the front and would make a woman appear pregnant when she is not. The painting The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck is a perfect example. It is a known fact that the bride is not pregnant but any one from our time would assume she was.

[@Chihiro33333]

Thank you for this comment, Diana. Those were my thoughts exactly.

[@dburgd99]

Well said and that is an amazing painting. I also think "Regency" style dresses can make a women appear pregnant as well.

[@tedhead1986]

Even today, heck I wear a particular long shirt of mine and suddenly I look 4 months easy. I think this is Elizabeth, but not a pregnant Elizabeth

[@dianeshelton9592]

Look at A stitch in Time recreation of the Arnolfi dress. It explains exactly why this gown gives the lady the appearance of pregnancy when she clearly is not. Even if it were Elizabeth, no doubt in addition to the gown making her look pregnant, she was no doubt bloated, historically she did suffer from this. So not pregnant, just a style of clothing and a bloated Elizabeth.

[@countdownda]

I totally agree. Perhaps fancy dress, abundance of material, the more there is, the more money the sitter had spent.

[@laurenlewis1129]

Very fascinating, thank you for putting this together!

[@jessicamoores181]

Wowee!!! Holy Smokes, that presentation was Wonderful!!!! I’m going to watch your other videos now. Thank You 1,000 times for creating this interesting video!!! Gods Speed to you and yours 😉💓👏👍

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Thanks Jessica, There are four more videos now which continue the story. I have now decoded the poem in the cartouche. I think you will find where it leads quite interesting. Regards David

[@jupru220]

Thank you for sharing your ideas and research. Since the painting seems to include symbolism, could the pregnancy look also be symbolic of Elizabeth as mother of her country? Just a thought.

[@portcityminis]

Good point

[@gloglos100]

It’s a wonderful portrait and beautiful painting.

[@margaretlouise6200]

Elizabeth's much loved Robert Dudley died in 1588. Do you think Elizabeth had this painted closer to the end of her life...as a remembrance of a past moment of which few knew, but would have been so important to her? It could have been hung in her most private apartments. "What is mine should be mine." The poem seems to convey a wistful regret of that which should have been hers but never was. Dudley and perhaps a child? If there was in actuality no pregnancy, did this painting represent the silent wish that this had been different and was really what was properly due but never possible?

[@TootlesTart]

Or what if there was a bitter fight, she was pregnant out of wedlock, and she miscarried? Perhaps she was physically harmed and miscarried, or the heartbreak made her miscarry, or there was a forced abortion, or he wouldn’t marry her...?

[@Hippidippimahm]

@@TootlesTart heartbreak doesn’t make people miscarry omg. Please let’s not spread old wives’ tales

[@joannahimes-murphy6897]

@@Hippidippimahm Heartbreak DOES make people miscarry. I lost a baby after a horrible thing that happened to me, and history is full of references to other women it happened to.

[@erinundra]

@@TootlesTart there is no evidence whatsoever that she ever had a lover. All conjecture and fantasy from the film and TV industry. Therefore, it is probable that she died a virgin.

[@kaywever3710]

@@Hippidippimahm u can literally die of a broken heart

[@UnboxwithSahar]

Admirable painstaking work! Thank you. Thoroughly enjoyed it . I have never seen this painting although I've been several times to Hampton's court. Appreciate your video. 🙏🌺

[@CherryBlossomHill]

Very, very interesting, this takes me back to a wonderful art history course I took in College. I thought I would mention that the fine detailed embroidery work on the gown would have taken years to complete, most likely by young women in a convent, who were given up by their parents or young ladies who were considered too old for marriage. Switzerland began to specialize in hand embroidered silk fabrics for the European wealthy elite and had become the epicenter in Europe for commissions. This is a beautiful exploration into fine art history with much to offer for artists to learn from today, I had never heard of a pregnancy portrait of Queen Elizabeth, thank you for this lovely presentation.

[@grazielaalmeida8438]

It's a pitty that many of the files about tudors were lost at the Great Fire.

[@michellerhodes9910]

It was delightful to go through the portrait and look at the imagery. There is however enough event in the seventeenth Earl's own life to explain the portrait. He even fell from favour with Elizabeth I for impregnating her lady in waiting (who had a son I believe). He purportedly denied the legitimacy of his own first born after his marriage to Anne Cecil. I have enjoyed pondering this though because it all adds to the flavour of the time and it was a very thorough appraisal of a beautiful painting.

[@MaiRaven3]

Excellent! Fascinating and well done. Thank you.

[@dorothypage7410]

Thank you for your observations. Definitely a statement (whether overtly or covertly). Whatever the exact meaning…we have looked upon a magnificent work of art!

[@Cypresssina]

Corn spurray is similar but not quite right. Maybe a variety of jasmine? Who knows, they're quite lovely though. Excellent analysis, who doesn't love a mystery? Hopefully you'll one day make more of these videos.

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Very interesting the amount of detail covered was tremendous thank you And as soon as you mentioned the end Essex came to mind

[@lorieprice9479]

i found this fascinating !! thank you for sharing your work

[@casteretpollux]

Just starting to watch this. It's a beautiful painting.

[@leewitte4580]

I enjoyed this very much! I would love to have a skilled art restoration expert such as Julien Baumgartner have his way with it! He would use uv light and x-rays to see what was beneath all of the retouching and could remove any old varnish and over-painting to reveal the original. I have watched him do just that on his youtube channel which I highly recommend as it is fascinating! Thank you for this video! I look forward to watching more!

[@franmellor9843]

I agree he is the BEST

[@franmellor9843]

@David Shakespeare yes he is very thorough and extremely professional...a video post on the restoration would be very interesting too say the least, Julian Baumgartner has his own website for you to paroose his excellent restorations..regards!

[@laalaag2auntyayag776]

fran mellor paroose? Lol 😆

[@mikkiduf]

Bendor Grosvenor!!

[@franmellor9843]

@@mikkiduf he is an art historian not a restoration expert

[@manfredwiese7018]

Absolutely spellbinding thank you so much

[@TLFGreetingsComeTrue]

I thoroughly enjoyed your intelligent and logical approach to deciphering the symbolism in these works. Your analysis is truly compelling. Thank you for sharing your keen insights and humble presentation. I agree, the pace was delightful!

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello Tracy, Many thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated and makes the hard work worthwhile. My aim is to put information to a wide audience who would not normally have access to it because much is hidden away. My hope is that it stimulates thought and discussion, Regards David

[@HawkqOjOp]

Had me glued to the screen and zooming and analyzing ! Fascinating, thank you! It's been a couple years lol, but here are my comments. As an artist, I know that once an artist is removed from the actual location of a portrait, one can sometimes 'fill in" missed parts from imagination, having missed them entirely or just forgotten what was really there - and these fill-ins don''t always properly connect, either being out of proportion or proper depth. If they are proven to be post-humus to the original artist, then that theory is blown. There were many courtiers who hid or destroyed any future significance of her mother, Anne, and may have done so beyond her execution as well, i.e. on paintings of her daughter. Also, I believe the large pendent is hanging in this portrait from a jewel on the tip of her collar, maybe not her ear! Perhaps the gray on the neck is the shadow cast by the pearls upon her skin, hence no highlighting. Perhaps the broken tree branch with the bird represents her mother's execution (and then herself being the 'end' of her line). Perhaps the tree at an odd angle is not a tree but a twig or weed in the foreground, not the background, or even a crevice in a mossy rock. I tend to follow most of your opinions, however, if it is Elizabeth, and thinking outside the box, perhaps since she would have been 3 years or so from her death, it represented her past family and not her present one, e.g., her father (the stag, whom perhaps she forgives or feels sorry for), the walnuts - Henry's children, Mary and Elizabeth (herself) (Mary being from a different mother and attached oddly), and the appearance of pregnancy only represents what the stag desired and what she intentionally avoided because of her mother. So it's intentionally unclear if she is pregnant. Agree with the stream, perhaps representing the flow of royals, hence the stag standing along side it and maybe not fully in it because how he got to the throne. Far-fetched but my first thoughts. :)

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello, thank you so much for your observations. When I started out on this very few people had looked closely at the painting. What a delight it has been for so many to have the opportunity. How interesting that the keepers of the picture have been mute. I don't know if you have looked at my later videos on whether or not Henry Wriothesley was the son of Elizabeth as they take on the analysis of the poem and the cartouche. My videos on Nonsuch Palace develop the theme of Elizabeth and her alter ego the Goddess Diana. kind regards. David

[@madiantin]

Extremely enjoyable! Thank you.

[@barbaraparish6353]

Referring to the comment by Domina just below. I believe the explanation by Domina is spot on. What a great explanation. I cannot fathom any other legitimate explanation for the purpose of this painting. As I watched more and more of this video ( before I read Domina's views) and the symbolisms within the painting I was sure this was a piece of art commissioned to show the terrible tragedy of a spinster woman (not as a Queen) who never new the blessing of the intimacy of marriage and the God given blessing of bearing a child or children. For so many women (let alone a Queen) who never have these blessings this causes terrible pain and grief , and profound pain even until death. Queen Elizabeth must have been such a lonely woman in her personal life but had to put on a brave face every day because of her status and responsibility to her realm and even her own safety. I may be wrong in saying or missed a fact, but could there be a possibility that she secretly commissioned this work herself for after her death? Only a question. The reason why I say this is because in my opinion only a woman going through such loss would be able to include such symbolism and in such depth. If I go by our own Queen Elizabeth 2nd, her life was so much more fulfilling than the first Queen Elizabeth. The most radiant and happiest I ever saw our present queen was when she met and married Prince Philip and had her children. It is well known that Elizabeth 2nd's deepest longings were not to have been queen but to have been a naval wife or a farmer's wife . This fulfilling life she had with Philip was cut short because her father died too soon. She took on the role of monarch because she had to and not because she cherished it. What kept her going as she once said in a speech, was the personal joy of her husband by her side and her children. Just highlights the starkness of Elizabeth 1st situation.

[@barbarataylor1135]

I enjoyed this video very much, thank you for making it.

[@lilmee7469]

Excellent work! Thank you.

[@slight1699]

The fact that several generations felt the need to remove things from the original, even to fairly recent times, argues for the painting being a representation of Elizabeth I; as does the fact that it is hanging in Hampton Court now. The embroidery on the robe is all about fertility - linking to the fruit (e.g. pregnancy), but the written messages are about regret and sorrow, speaking to losses of those fruits and the love that was their origin. It seems to me that there are, and were, likely people who do not want the "virgin queen" myth overturned.

[@slight1699]

Thank you, David. It's fascinating. I look forward to more posts from you!

[@cherryberry7024]

fruits of the loins !!

[@leslieblanco3536]

how was she able to hide her pregnancies though? And where are those children she birthed? Did she hide them in noble houses? IDk i would want a dna test for edward de vere and Francis Bacon ...possible even Robert Deveraux

[@dinarusso3320]

Exactly. I agree

[@theresabraddock9310]

the prettiest shoes imaginable!

[@angesoup]

Great video! Thank you so much for posting

[@sandraobrien8705]

A lot of thought went into this. Very interesting video.

[@elizabethfletcher1487]

Thoroughly enjoyed this very close examination of an allegorical painting that, perhaps, has a great secret to tell. I never have believed that Elizabeth I was a virgin, with her portrayal as a virgin simply being some very smart propaganda. Birth control at that time would have been quite fallible. If the premise is true, then the painting(s) were meant for the viewing of the queen. So why would the queen accept these paintings if she were not in a deep relationship with the one who commissioned them? If a queen can hide a pregnancy and offspring, she can certainly hide a pair of paintings. Essex, unless he was a complete dolt, had to know that he was treading on dangerous ground and had to be willing to deal with the dire consequences of failure. It seems to me, that given the absence of texting in that era, these paintings could have easily been his parting shot, professing at least his infatuation with being the beloved pet of a great queen, if not his love for the same. However, I think his parting shot was really making a record of having been the guy who impregnated a great queen, perhaps more than once, wanted everyone to know it, and prettied the message up with all the stuff pointing to his “love.” But then, I am old and a cynic.

[@Find-Your-Bliss-]

Not. A. Virgin. Virgins are greatly overrated in Christian religion as well

[@viviennepimm7738]

If you read the books from the Francis Bacon society then you will know that Queen Elizabeth had two sons with Robert Leceister they were Francis Bacon and Robert Essex each were brought up by trusted ladies in waiting in their homes. The fact that he makes mention of the quotes in the painting and the meaning of them to me confirms the fact that Elizabeth's great pain and regret of the wrongs she did was that she never kept her promise to acknowledge them. The Shakepearian works were written by Francis Bacon her eldest son in order to put in a code of the terrible injustice towards him and his brother to be he hoped in the future revealed which it has been the evidience is in my opinion spot on now confirmed in this dissection of the painting. Google the internet for the Francis Bacon society I read one of their books now out of print called the "Pivate life of the Virgin Queen" By Comyns Beaumont unbelivble fascinating to read. Remember history is not always accurate and altered just like today hidden agendas and great deceit.

[@shaestewart5261]

Assuming we accept the dating of this portrait, and assuming it is actually a portrait of Elizabeth I, It would’ve been painted when she was quite old. In and of itself, because she was vain and because portraits are sometimes meant to be a flattering or representative of a bygone era, a youthful Elizabeth is not so strange. That said, I find it hard to believe that Virginia herself would find being depicted as pregnant flattering. Of course, If the pregnancy is symbolic, if this apocryphal depiction of the virgin queen means to represent her as the mother of her country and the mother of her church, it might be a different story. As I see it, we have the stag which is a common renaissance symbol for Christianity. We have our symbol of Christianity positioned closely to a female and Persian dress. Because it’s a bit early for Orientalism, Persian dress could be a representation of the crusades and “conquering” the holy land. Frankly, it might even be a depiction of Elizabeth as the original virgin queen, mother Mary herself. Remember, Persia is essentially the Middle East which is the Holy Land. As the head of the church of England, comparing Elizabeth directly to the highest female symbol of the Catholic Church makes sense. And though Elizabeth had no heir apparent, choosing to depict her as the mother of both church and country, and then, on top of that, using the symbol of Mary and the. Immaculate Conception to depict Elizabeth as the Divine head of her church, endowed with an unquestionable Protestant heir, whether or not who this heir is eludes the rest of us mere mortals, is incredibly flattering. Again, accepting this painting was done at the end of the 16th century or at the beginning of the 17th century, lessons the likelihood that it is meant to depict a truly pregnant Elizabeth. What would be the point other than to piss her off? On the other hand, Elizabeth was famously insecure about her lack of an heir, so using allegory to show that her people are confident in her not only as a monarch, but also in her ability to secure the legacy of a protestant England (particularly when the obvious heir is a Catholic) is an incredibly gracious, flattering, and practical homage to an elderly and deteriorating queen.

[@viviennepimm7738]

If you read the books from the Francis Bacon society then you will know that Queen Elizabeth had two sons with Robert Leceister they were Francis Bacon and Robert Essex each were brought up by trusted ladies in waiting in their homes. The fact that he makes mention of the quotes in the painting and the meaning of them to me confirms the fact that Elizabeth's great pain and regret of the wrongs she did was that she never kept her promise to acknowledge them. The Shakepearian works were written by Francis Bacon her eldest son in order to put in a code of the terrible injustice towards him and his brother to be he hoped in the future revealed which it has been the evidience is in my opinion spot on now confirmed in this dissection of the painting. Google the internet for the Francis Bacon society I read one of their books now out of print called the "Pivate life of the Virgin Queen" By Comyns Beaumont unbelivble fascinating to read. Remember history is not always accurate and altered just like today hidden agendas and great deceit.

[@jonathangems]

@@viviennepimm7738 That's exactly what I thought too. Why didn't Elizabeth acknowledge her sons? Did she end the Tudor line and pass the monarchy to the Stuarts in order to maintain her image as 'the virgin queen'? Would she have been universally condemned for having children out of wedlock? Was it impossible to have legitimised her bastard sons? Probably so. Sir Francis Bacon, after an early scrape, seems to have kept out of politics. Essex appears to have been more ambitious.

[@davidcurtis496]

I enjoyed your video. This is the first time i had heard of this painting. I liked your explanations about this painting. Look forward to hearing in the future if you can prove this is Elizabeth 1st. Thanks for showing your video..

[@pollybee7129]

Absorbing and scholarly. And an illustration of how technology can be used in the enhancement of knowledge, instead of evil. Many thanks.

[@jeannevacca1328]

Thank you. I’d really like to see the portrait in person.

[@kiavonne]

I hadn't seen the painting before, and I found your slideshow video very interesting.

[@silverkitty2503]

My condolences to whomever lost their baby. Whomever the lady is. My heart goes out to them.

[@Annur375]

Magnificent presentation; super-interesting topic. Thank you for sharing it.

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello Jacob, many thanks for your kind comment. There are two further presentations about the relationship of Elizabeth with Nonsuch Palace, which build on the alter ego of the Goddess Diana. I have decoded the poem in the cartouche and will post this in the near future. Kind regards, David

[@jeanproctor3663]

Thank you for producing an informative and very interesting video! I love Tudor history even though I don't have a massive knowledge of it - and I hadn't heard of this picture either until today. Every day is indeed a school day.

[@Whiskeygalore24]

Im a fine art painter, I also believe the stag represents her love, look at the eyes it's a human eye in a stag also the stags ears are down anticipating the touch of her hand, he is so close to her, they are together in this painting, this is intriguing I can't imagine the queen would would show her self in a painting with a man, her life was constantly under surveillance, every move was registered not to protect but to find fault. The flower could be a white lily! Her face is very similar to the painting of Elizabeth, the observation I have is red Rosie cheeks on the stag painting, shows a blooming healthy woman, the other show a face with lead white paint.

[@krystenreid8106]

this was so interesting. I really appreciated the analysis. thank you

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello Krysten, Thanks for your comment. Have a look at the two videos which take the story further. There was a copy of the painting which has some important differences. Regards David

[@dusankamravlja9346]

This is such a beautiful painting. Thank you.

[@martinaomar856]

Very very interesting! Thank you! For me the woman doesn't look unhappy. She looks subtile wise from inside and deeply loving! And this look I have noticed at many pregnant woman, specially in the first time of pregnancy, when others even begin to recognize the sweet secret!

[@kelrogers8480]

If Elizabeth had become pregnant out of wedlock at any time, and especially at such a young age, she would have been not only in disgrace and humiliation, but also in great danger. I doubt she would have been happy or content!

[@mikiberge6427]

Very interesting analysis.

[@user-ji9jd1gq9z]

Very interesting, but most of all , I simply adore your accent !!!I could easily be listening for ever ! Thank you my dear Sir !

[@davidshakespeare1767]

Hello Michaela, Many thanks for your kind comments. There is still more to come. Regards David

[@szendrich]

Very interesting analysis. It seriously puts Queen Elizabeth I's virginity into question, which is why I listened to the entire video. Thank you.