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An Elizabethan man, called Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), 1581 (watercolour, ivory)
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An Elizabethan man, called Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), 1581 (watercolour, ivory)
7337508 An Elizabethan man, called Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), 1581 (watercolour, ivory) by Hilliard, Nicholas (1547-1619); 2.8x0 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Nicholas Hilliard
A circular miniature by Hilliard of a man with a red beard and moustache, darker hair and grey-blue eyes, and traditionally identified as Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596). It is on ivory within a fine carved ivory frame. The sitter wears a predominantly black patterned doublet and white ruff. He is shown head and part shoulders only, turned half to his right against a blue background inscribed in gold Vive ut Vivas (Live that you may live) and the whole is within a black border inscribed in gold AETATIS SUAE 42 ANNO DNI 1581'. There is also a 19th century inscription on the reverse identifying it as Drake and a label bearing the number 1416. This apart, the grounds for believing it may be Drake are primarily the sitter's appearance: the National Portrait Gallery has a similar miniature, identified as Drake, with the same date inscription. While this is inexact it correlates with his still uncertain date of birth. This is believed to be February or March 1540, which (if done mid-year) would make the inscribed 1581 date of representation literally correct, i.e. in his 42nd year'. There is also no doubt of Drake's celebrity at the time, which might have prompted such representation. It was in 1581 that he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, following his hugely lucrative, three year anti-Spanish circumnavigation of the globe in the Pelican (renamed the Golden Hind en route). The inscription, ); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38513386
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
16th Century Fashion Discoverers Elizabethan Explorers Francis Drake Navigator Sir Francis Drake Watercolors Watercolour Paint C16h
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This stunning watercolour and ivory portrait, created by Nicholas Hilliard in 1581, captures the likeness of a distinguished Elizabethan man believed to be Sir Francis Drake. With his red beard and moustache, dark hair, and grey-blue eyes, the sitter exudes an air of nobility and strength. Dressed in a black patterned doublet and white ruff, he gazes confidently at the viewer against a striking blue background inscribed with the Latin phrase 'Vive ut Vivas' (Live that you may live).
The inscription on the border reveals that this portrait was painted when Drake was 42 years old in 1581. This aligns with historical records indicating his birth year as around 1540. Known for his daring circumnavigation of the globe aboard the 'Golden Hind,' which brought him fame and fortune, Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in that same year.
The exquisite craftsmanship of this miniature portrait is evident not only in its intricate details but also in its delicate ivory frame. Preserved at the National Maritime Museum in London, this artwork serves as a timeless tribute to one of England's most celebrated seafarers from the Elizabethan era. Sir Francis Drake's legacy lives on through this depiction by Hilliard, showcasing both his physical appearance and enduring spirit of adventure.
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