The Armada Portrait

Queen Elizabeth I (1588)
Elizabeth had great control over her portraits, demanding she had to approve all of her portraits before they were released to the public. The Queen saw her portraits as a window of opportunity to show others her control and ambitions as the Queen of England.
One of the most symbolic paintings of her Majesty was the 'Armada Portrait'. The artist for this portrait is unknown but the various symbols held within the portrait have made it one of Elizabeths most iconic images.
One of the most obvious symbolisms within the portrait, and the reason for the portraits name, is the image depicted in the windows behind the Queen. The sight refers to the Queens triumph over the Spanish Armada in 1588, on the left is the English fireships who defeated the spanish fleet, shown broken and battered on the rocky english shores in the right-hand window. This symbolism represents one of Queen Elizabeth I's best triumphs and victory throughout her rule of England.
In addition to this the Queens hand is resting on a globe, over America, showing her domination of the seas and also the source of Spain's gold - again a reference to the power the Virgin Queen possessed.
Many of the other symbols held within the portrait were regularities in Elizabeth's portraits, for example the crown resting on the left-hand-side of the painting behind Elizabeth, referring to her status as Queen. The large quantity of pearls were also common for Elizabeth, used to represent her wealth as well as purity, however the pearl necklace worn by the Queen is said to be the last present she ever received from Robert Dudley, insinuating the importance he served to her and his heavy involvement in the Queens life.

Artist : (attributed to) George Gower
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Elizabeth_I_(Armada_Portrait).jpg