The Armada Portrait

The Armada Portrait

Discover an iconic Tudor painting. Understand the power of represention and art during Tudor Era.

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The Spanish Armada - Historical background

In May 1588 a massive invasion fleet or 'Armada' sailed from the port of Lisbon. This great war fleet was bound for England. The two fleets met in the English Channel. There were many more Spanish ships than the English ships but the English ships were smaller and easy to manoeuvre. This would turn out to be a great advantage for the English.

On 6 August 1588, the Spanish Armada anchored at Calais. The English filled eighty ships with flammable material and set fire to them. They sent in fireships to panic the Spaniards and scatter the Armada's formation. The Spanish panicked and fled to the open sea, straight into the gunfire of the waiting English. In the open sea, the Armada wasn’t in formation, so the Spanish ships were easy targets for the English artillery. An important reason why the English were able to defeat the Armada was that the wind blew the Spanish ships northwards. Strong winds and terrible rain forced many ships onto rocks near Ireland. The Armada is famous because at that time England was a small nation with a little navy and they were facing the greatest power in the world (Spain). They defeated Spain and it marked the beginning of England's mastery of the seas.

Describe "The Armada Portrait" Who is it ? Where is she? What is she wearing?

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The Armada Portrait, unknown artist, 1588.

💡 Tips : - There is + singular noun / There are + plural noun. - She is wearing...... + vocabulary. - Give details about the colours. - Where are the elements located?

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Remember

Remember : everything in this painting is set on purpose and nothing is mere coincidence. Keep asking yourself the following questions : What is the message? What is the aim of the painter?

Keep asking yourself the following questions :

The Armada Portrait, unknown artist, 1588.

What about this fleet? Is it the English or the Spanish fleet? Why? What about the colours?

What can you see? What about the colours? Is the message positive or negative?

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Which fleet is Elizabeth I facing? Is the Queen facing victory or defeat?

What about the shape of the ruff? What about the position of her head?

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Can you see similarities? What does the Sun symbolise? What could be the message?

What does it mean to wear a crown? Why is there a crown in this painting? What is the message?

The Queen is wearing jewellery and pearls. What is the message? Is she a rich or a poor monarch?

Where is Elizabeth's hand? Why? / What does it symbolise?