Page 159 - sarah-simblet_sketch-book-for-the-artist

WILLIAM WODALL 159

Author and illustrator of pauses to assess the next
The Aaes of Queene Elizabeth worn at court and by
Allegorized, a manuscript p o e m
age, it was customary to
comprising six cantos. T h e Beneath the lethal fan
poem recounts t h e six m a j o r
crises o f Elizabeth's reign: t h e is the body of a bird of
Spanish Armada, the Ridolfi trimmed feathers suggest
Plot, t h e Babington Plot, t h e
steps daintily
Jesuit Mission, t h e N o r t h e r n
Rising, and h e r pride.

Satire This is a quill-and-ink satire
of the elderly queen's pride-As
head of state and fashion, she is
shown as a grossly disproportioned
bird, with an overinflated fluffy ruff
displaying a fan of daggers. A
hooded eye pins us, while a raised

Ruffs and feathers Starched white foot
society grew steadily larger as
Elizabeth's reign progressed. By her ruffs
upto three tiers supported on old
sticks.
tawny owl. here
dark
Iron-gall ink Wodall's dangerous
caricature
the written lines of her dedicated
page. Top-heavy, the queen is
masterfully rebalanced by words
at her feet The whole drawing's
blackened, bitten nature, and
saturations showing through from
the other side, suggest the use

of iron-gall ink (see p.35).

Satire of the Queen's Dress

c.1599

71/2 x 51/4 in ( 1 9 0 x 1 3 4 m m )

WILLIAM W O D A L L