Philip Mould Fine Paintings in London bought a life-size painting of Queen Elizabeth I, the earliest known portrait of her in that size, for an astounding $5.3 million. The painting by Antwerp artist Steven van der Meulen depicts the queen as looking out for a potential suitor, gazing towards the left of the viewer. Sotheby’s Auctioneer remarked that the beauty and decoration of the painting, in addition to the symbolism, suggest that Elizabeth was approximately 30 years of age at that time. The two meters tall portrait shows the pale-skinned queen standing in crimson satin dress decked with pearls and colored jewels, in the backdrop of fruit and scented flowers. In one hand, she carries a carnation, symbolic of a future betrothal and in the other one a glove, which signifies power and wealth. The oil used on the canvas is said to have been given by Elizabeth to the Hampden family.

Via: Reuters136536