Visages in the Tower

The Tower of London has many amazing riches and weapons.  Elizabeth I, and the story surrounding her, has always fascinated me the most, and when I saw these two images right next to each other, I tried so hard to capture some of her power.  However, I think I captured much more than that.  While the foregrounded bust of her is looking directly into the camera, boldly and with a sense of prestige, the painting behind her shows a very different Elizabeth I.  In the painting she is deep in thought, troubled even.  She also seems innocent and overwhelmed.  With her arms open, she is ready for an embrace (from who, one can only speculate).

It’s almost as if she was modelling for me.

Visages