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Med kärleken på bröstet i diplomatins tjänst. En kontextbaserad ikonologisk analys av Erik XIV:s friarporträtt

Signäs, Rebecka LU (2022) KOVK03 20212
Division of Art History and Visual Studies
Abstract
This thesis is a case study of the only confirmed betrothal portrait in Swedish collections, sent by Erik XIV to Elisabeth I. The thesis examines the portrait in detail to find the symbolic differences and meanings in comparison to other portraits of the Swedish monarch. One of the main questions raised in the thesis is the question on which symbols can further deepen the understanding that this portrait was painted in the solemn purpose as a betrothal portrait in the context and contrast of prevalent diplomatic portraits common at the time. The conclusion of this thesis is that the portrait in most follows the conventions of diplomatic portraiture during the renaissance but differs from ordinary practice in one very important remark. Due... (More)
This thesis is a case study of the only confirmed betrothal portrait in Swedish collections, sent by Erik XIV to Elisabeth I. The thesis examines the portrait in detail to find the symbolic differences and meanings in comparison to other portraits of the Swedish monarch. One of the main questions raised in the thesis is the question on which symbols can further deepen the understanding that this portrait was painted in the solemn purpose as a betrothal portrait in the context and contrast of prevalent diplomatic portraits common at the time. The conclusion of this thesis is that the portrait in most follows the conventions of diplomatic portraiture during the renaissance but differs from ordinary practice in one very important remark. Due to symbols incorporated in the betrothal painting, with associations to three forms of love, this portrait was most probably painted with the purpose of being used within the diplomatic sphere of marriage negotiations. With three signs of Eros, first being portraited as a young man with bow and arrow in the pendant of the necklace and the second and third being the cupid and torches, which functions as the chain of the necklace around the monarch´s neck and chest. Consequently the portrait would seem rather misplaced in a diplomatic context outside of marriage negotiations. (Less)
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author
Signäs, Rebecka LU
supervisor
organization
course
KOVK03 20212
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Erik XIV, Elizabeth I, iconology, Eros, symbolism, betrothal, portrait, Steven van der Meulen, diplomacy, Renaissance, portraiture, marriage negotiations, master Steven Erik XIV, Elisabeth I, ikonologi, symbolik, frieri, friarporträtt, frieriporträtt, porträtt, diplomati, äktenskapsförhandlingar, renässansen, mäster Staffan
language
Swedish
id
9111065
date added to LUP
2023-02-23 08:40:53
date last changed
2023-02-23 08:40:53
@misc{9111065,
  abstract     = {{This thesis is a case study of the only confirmed betrothal portrait in Swedish collections, sent by Erik XIV to Elisabeth I. The thesis examines the portrait in detail to find the symbolic differences and meanings in comparison to other portraits of the Swedish monarch. One of the main questions raised in the thesis is the question on which symbols can further deepen the understanding that this portrait was painted in the solemn purpose as a betrothal portrait in the context and contrast of prevalent diplomatic portraits common at the time. The conclusion of this thesis is that the portrait in most follows the conventions of diplomatic portraiture during the renaissance but differs from ordinary practice in one very important remark. Due to symbols incorporated in the betrothal painting, with associations to three forms of love, this portrait was most probably painted with the purpose of being used within the diplomatic sphere of marriage negotiations. With three signs of Eros, first being portraited as a young man with bow and arrow in the pendant of the necklace and the second and third being the cupid and torches, which functions as the chain of the necklace around the monarch´s neck and chest. Consequently the portrait would seem rather misplaced in a diplomatic context outside of marriage negotiations.}},
  author       = {{Signäs, Rebecka}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Med kärleken på bröstet i diplomatins tjänst. En kontextbaserad ikonologisk analys av Erik XIV:s friarporträtt}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}