8-1Art

 What were popular forms of art and sculpture in Elizabethan England? //Answer prepared by Jessie B.// With the stroke of a brush or a splash of paint, one can spread their way right into the art of the Elizabethan era! The art of this era was developed by Hans Holbein, who is known for art styles he brought to the Elizabethan era, as stated on page 163 in Elizabethan England by A.H. Dodd. Holbein was believed to be a great influence on another well-known artist, Nicholas Hilliard. With the popular artists came the popular art. The Elizabethan era had quite a few trendy forms of art. One of the most popular forms of art was paintings, specifically portraits. As stated on the website page Art during Elizabethan England, by an unknown author, art was explained as, “creating styled imagery which portrayed elegance, power and wealth.” Some of the most well- known paintings of this era are called “miniatures”. These paintings were extremely small, hence the name miniatures. They, more than often, served as lockets or cameos. However, these lockets would only be worn by the wealthy, signifying your wealth. One might ponder what the purpose of all of this art was.

Art was regarded as the center of culture during the Elizabethan era, leading the entertainment lives of the English people. Though paintings were quite popular in this time period, they were not the only type of art. Silverware, furniture carvings, and textiles were elaborately designed and created to appeal to the naked eye. The type of art one had or made described their status socially and economically. For example, if ones silverware was intricately designed, with stories behind all of the designs, it is likely that they are wealthy, or descend from a wealthy line. However, if they did not have art in their house or as a part of their jewelry, they would be classified as quite poor, and for this, many people preferred to not be their friend. This is yet another example of how art lead the lives of people during the Elizabethan era. So let art lead you in, as you grab a brush and paint away! Works Cited Books: Dickson, Andrew. The Rough Guide to Shakespeare. New York, NY: Rough Guides Ltd, 2005.

Dodd, A.H.. Elizabethan England. London, UK: William Clowes and Sons Ltd., 1974.

Dunton-Downer, Leslie, and Alan Riding. Essential Shakespeare Handbook. New York, NY: DK Publishing, INC, 2004.

Hart, Roger. English Life in the Seventeenth Century. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, INC, 1970.

Wood, Michael. Shakespeare. New York, NY: Basic Books, 2003.

Websites: Alchin, L.K.. "Elizabethan Theater." William Shakespeare: The Complete Works. 16 Nov 2008. William Shakespeare Info. 8 Mar 2009 < http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-theatre-facts.htm >.

Alchin, L.K.. "The Black Death Bubonic Plague during the Elizabethan Era." William Shakespeare: The Complete Works. 16 Nov 2008. William Shakespeare Info. 6 Mar 2009 .

Alchin, L.K.. "The Swan Theater." William Shakespeare: The Complete Works. 16 Nov 2008. William Shakespeare Info. 5 April 2009 < http://www.william-shakespeare.info/the-swan-theatre-picture.htm>.

Pressley, J.M.. "Shakespeare Poetry." Shakespeare Resource Center. 18 Feb 2009. Shakespeare Resource Center. 12 Mar 2009 .

Unknown, "Art During Elizabethan England." Elizabethan England Life. Travel Prague City. 12 Mar 2009 .

Unknown, "The Black Death." Museum of London. 5 Apr 2009 .