Admiral George Clifford
1558-1605
Step into the Elizabethan court with this dashing portrait of George Clifford, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I and her official Champion. Painted by Isaac Oliver, a master of the tiny 'limning' technique, this work was designed to be an intimate object, often worn in a locket or held in the palm of your hand. The artist shows off his incredible skill with the frothy, intricate lace collar, which contrasts beautifully against the deep blue background and Clifford's fashionable black hat. Clifford was a real-life swashbuckler—a privateer who fought the Spanish Armada—making this intense, direct gaze feel entirely appropriate for a man of action.
Views: 5