Art in Elizabethan England

Elizabethan England represented an immense turning point in English cultural history. The Renaissance had introduced new views of the human and witnessed the rebirth of classical, Greco-Roman culture. It was on this stage that the Elizabethan Golden Age made its grand entrance. George Trevelyan, in his English Social History pg.139, comments on how Renaissance scholars were confined to the king's court, while in Elizabethan England scholarship was spread to the people. Each component of the Elizabethan era, namely art, architecture, literature and music experienced intensive yet nuanced advancement. Trevelyan and other historians have come to the general consensus that the Elizabethan Era was a golden age; a time where an English cultural identity emerged and general peace allowed for "large classes (to) feel the uprising … and express it in music and song."

Elizabethan art, despite experiencing a golden age, was not paralleled by the poetry, music, and literature which triumphed during the Elizabethan era (Trevelyan, George. English Social History pg. 159). Painting was dominated by portraiture, especially miniatures, and reached its height under the school of Nicholas Hilliard. The origins of this miniaturist tradition are debated amongst historians. Ruth Ashby, in her Elizabethan England proposes that the protestant reformation severed contact with Italian Renaissance painters, and as such, artists like Hanz Holbein the Younger were appointed as house painters who were expected to paint in the fashion the ruler desired. Another theory conjectures that the tradition of illuminated manuscripts encouraged small and detailed work ("Elizabethan England" – Thematic Essay – Metropolitan Museum of Art). The characteristics of miniaturism as listed by Ashby, pg. 41, include delicate flowers and plants, paintings on cockets and other jewelry, and heavy ornamentation. The queen took a personal interest in her portraits and guided her artists to paint along the lines of elegance, wealth and power ("Elizabethan England" – Thematic Essay – Metropolitan Museum of Art). These themes of elegance, wealth and power would reappear in other areas of Elizabethan England.

Architecture in Elizabethan England followed similar patterns as its art. Here too, the origins of England's architectural history are debated. Some suggest that classical Greek and Roman features were admired and consequently utilized in many Elizabethan homes (Alchin, L.K "Elizabethan Architecture", Elizabethan-era.org.uk). Others assert that Elizabethan Architecture was the result of the amalgamation of Renaissance and Dutch features. While the origins of Elizabethan Architecture are in question, its characteristics are not. Wealthy men felt the need to express their wealth upon entrance which lead to ostentatious entrances, with carvings and ornate decorations ("Elizabethan Houses in England" UK Travel Heritage – britainexpress.com). Stone and brick were commonly used by the upper class, as they were more durable and represented wealth (Ashby, Ruth. Elizabethan England pg. 40). Other features as listed by L.K Alchin ("Elizabethan Architecture", Elizabethan-era.org.uk) include high chimneys, overhanging first floors, pillared porches, thatched roofs, and "E" shaped mansions. In addition to a love for grandiose mansions, the Elizabethan upper class valued their gardens for they believed elaborate gardens could accent their houses. Different flowers were assigned specific symbolic values, namely the rose representing purity and the violet representing faithfulness (Ashby, Ruth. Elizabethan England pg. 42). Pleasure gardens were often seen replacing many medieval moats. A contemporary described the fantastic topiary at Elizabeth's Hampton Court (seen below) in 1599: "They were all manner of shapes …. French lilies… all true to life" (Anonymous. 1599. In Ashby, Ruth. Elizabethan England pg. 42).

(Formal Garden at Hampton Court. Digital Image. Wheaton Edu. Web.)

The Elizabethan Era saw the flowering and flourishing of literature, from poetry drama to splendid prose ("Elizabethan Literature". Encyclopedia Britannica.). Advances in education and a growth in "technological maturity" lead to a new demographic of readers who possessed a desire for literature and "cultivated tastes" ("Elizabethan Literature". Encyclopedia Britannica.). The Britannica suggests that Elizabethan literature experienced a shift toward "fluent artistry" which was intended to display grace and sophistication, both common themes of the time. This shift was accompanied by an upsurge in literary production and productivity amongst writers of all caliber. With a new demographic of readers came a new style of