#10 Elizabeth I playing the lute, by Nicholas Hilliard
Setting the pace for rocking string instruments and hopeless relationships. Eat your heart out, Taylor Swift.
#9 The Pelican Portrait, attributed to Nicholas Hilliard
Beating clothes horse Joan Crawford (mommy dearest) to the fashion punch on shoulder pads by several centuries.
#8 The Ermine Portrait, by Nicholas Hilliard
More badass than Ernest Borgnine when it came to vermin crawling around.
#7 The Ditchley Portrait, by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
Proving Shakira wrong on hips and their credibility, and in a big way.
#6 The Hardwick Portrait, by Nicholas Hilliard and his workshop
Posing with sea creatures before posing with sea creatures was cool.
#5 The Coronation Portrait, unknown artist
Not waiting for permission from Teddy Roosevelt to start packing.
#4 Portrait of Elizabeth I with a fan, by an unknown artist
Way out in front of Cher on feathers and flowing headdresses, not to mention going by first name only.
#3 Elizabeth I – Older, by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
Proudly looking one’s age long before Helen Mirren even being of age.
#2 Princess Elizabeth, by William Scrots
Knowing well in advance of the Big 80s that nothing is sweeter than redhead-in-a-pink-dress sweet.
#1 The Rainbow Portrait, by Isaac Oliver
Not waiting for the advent of college football and Peyton Manning to ‘Go Big Orange.’