All Eyes And Ears (#143)
With Elizabeth II. gone I thought it‘s time for a fact about Elizabeth I.
Are you all eyes and ears? Because she certainly was. In order to consolidate her power and evade all scheming, she had to know what‘s going on. And what can be done with an Insta post today, had to be achieved through paintings back then.
That‘s why I‘d like you to have a look at this amazing painting, which I love for all it’s symbolism. It’s called The Rainbow Portrait (ca. 1602) and depicts Elizabeth I. holding a rainbow, a sign of peace. Above the rainbow is the inscription „Non Sine Sole Iris“ – no rainbow without the sun.
But also: No rainbow without the rain, right? If you look closely at her dress, it‘s covered with eyes and ears, symbolizing that the Queen sees and hears all: Big sister is watching you. The paining makes clear: No peace without total surveillance.