Anonymous British, 16th century Oil on canvas Toledo Museum of Art Toledo, Ohio Resplendent with pearls, gold, jewels, lace, red wig, and ostrich feather fan, England's queen Elizabeth I (reign 1588-1603) is a dazzling and commanding figure in the portrait by an unknown artist. This portrait is based on an official life-portrait done about the time of British naval defeat of the Spanish Armada 1588, when Elizabeth was 54. She is dressed in the most elaborate of costumes, the satin embroidered with flowers and plants,lilies, strawberries, primroses,carnations, associated with the Virgin Mary and thus emphasizing Elizabeth's identity as Gloriana, the Virgin Queen. The inscription "by Mark Gerard" at the upper left was added about 1800, and is an erroneous attribution to the artist Marcus Geeraerdts (1866-1635. 160