What would it be like to live in Elizabethan England? One might be lucky enough to dress in embroidered clothing and commission portraits, or one might be forced to beg for alms in order to survive. Art in the 15th and 16th centuries, whether in paintings, maps, sketches, or engravings, gives us some idea of the social and economic structure of England at the time. They also provide insight into how money and wealth influenced Shakespeare and his work, ranging from his depiction of royalty to tradesmen, actors to beggars.
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Antique map of London
Another work by Braun and Hogenberg, this antique map illustrates London during the Tudor dynasty.
(Image: “Antique map of London” by Braun & Hogenberg (1572-1624). Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
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The Royal Exchange, London; view from roof height, with vari
Officially opened in 1571, the Royal Exchange of London was designed to be the center of commerce. This etching, which is modeled after a 1507 version, shows various people conducting business in the courtyard.
(Image: “The Royal Exchange, London; view from roof height, with vari” by B. Howlett. CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
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Venice
This view of Venice was engraved and hand-colored by Hogenberg and Braun in 1565. It is based on the engravings of Bolognino Zaltieri, which demonstrate the wealth and naval power of Venice at the time.
(Image: “Venice” by G. Braun and F. Hogenberg (1565). Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
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Allegory of America
Amerigo Vespucci, whose Latinized name ‘Americus’ later termed America, first demonstrated that the New World was not Asia, but a different continent altogether. In this engraving, based on the drawing by Stradanus, Vespucci awakens, or “discovers,” a sleeping America, a source of tremendous riches in the age of exploration.
(Image: “Allegory of America” by Stradanus (1575-1580). Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
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Allegory of Fortune
Fortuna, or Lady Fortune, was the goddess of fortune and fate, and was often associated with good or bad luck. Shakespeare even references her in his Sonnet 29, lamenting that Fortune has abandoned the speaker. In this painting, circa 1530, Fortune balances the orb of sovereignty between her fingers.
(Image: “Allegory of Fortune” by Anonymous (circa 1520-1530). Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
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Portrait of Elizabeth Vernon, Countess of Southampton
This portrait of Elizabeth Vernon, the Countess of Southampton, circa 1600 represents her wealth and status not only in the quality and colors of her embroidered clothing, but also in her ability (or her husband’s) to have her portrait commissioned by an artist.
(Image: “Portrait of Elizabeth Vernon, Countess of Southampton” by Unknown. Private collection Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
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Card Players
Unlike most activities in England at the time, card playing was enjoyed by nearly all social classes. As seen in this oil painting, even women participated in card games and gambling.
(Image: “Card Players” by Lucas van Leyden (1508-1510). National Gallery of Art. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
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Jost Amman, A barber's shop
Jost Amman (1539-1591), a celebrated woodcutter, created most of his works for book illustrations. In this image, he depicts a typical barbershop.
(Image: “Jost Amman, A barber’s shop” by Jost Amman. Wellcome Images. CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
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Giving Alms to a Beggar
In this illustration for “Of Pride” in John Day’s A christall glasse of christian reformation, a gentleman gives alms to a beggar.
(Image: “Giving Alms to a Beggar” by Unknown (1569). Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
Featured Image: “Take the Fair Face of Woman, and Gently Suspending, With Butterflies, Flowers, and Jewels Attending, Thus Your Fairy is Made of Most Beautiful Things” by Sophie Gengembre Anderson. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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