Portrait of Walter Devereux (1539–1576), First Earl of Essex 1572

This portrait of Walter Devereux, First Earl of Essex, was made in England in 1572 by an anonymous artist. It’s a picture that tells us much about the social codes of the Elizabethan era. The Earl is depicted in elaborate armor, a visual signifier of his military prowess and noble status. Beside him we see his coat of arms, also identifying his social position in the complex hierarchy of Tudor England. The Latin inscription, ‘Virtutis comes invidia’ - Envy is the companion of virtue - suggests a world in which social mobility, driven by personal merit, may be viewed with suspicion by those of more established rank. The fact that the artist is unknown also hints at the ways in which artistic production was often tied to the needs and ambitions of powerful patrons. To learn more, we might consult genealogical records, histories of the Tudor court, and studies of artistic patronage in the period. In doing so, we can understand how art provides a window into the social structures of its time.