When I first began this painting, my process was to approach the subject from a strong psycholgical angle. Whenever we see portraits of Queen Elizabeth I, she is always very proper, her expression serious, almost lacking emotion, and her clothing very elaborate and royal. She seems to keep you at a distance, like she was untouchable both in terms of her power and in purely human terms. Historically she is often referred to as the "virgin queen". But, what if she really didn't see herself that way? What was she like when she was all alone? Did she mask her femininity because she ruled in a man's world? So that was the angle from which I approached this piece. Elizabeth seeing herself through different eyes. A very feminine, sultry, yet still powerful woman. Gone is the washed out color palette and "stiff upper lip"-this Elizabeth is alive in a deep crimson corset wearing her Elizabethan collar, with coppers and golds set against a backdrop of peacock blue and plum. This piece is done on an18x24 deep set gallery wrap canvas, is strung and ready to hang. A certificate of authenticity will accompany your purchase. Thanks for looking!