The first official portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled today. The portrait was painted by Glasgow born artist Paul Emsley, who won the 2007 BP portrait prize. The portrait, called HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery from today.
Word is the Duchess is thrilled with the results, however she would say that wouldn’t she?
The initial response from people online has been less kind. My Facebook followers, in a unofficial poll, have given it a pretty resounding “thumbs-down” for the lifeless eyes, the dark shadows and the smirk on her face. The most popular comment was that the portrait makes her look older than her years.
News reports say that visitors to the National Portrait Gallery today have given it mixed reviews, some calling it no better than a print portrait sold at souvenir shop.
Honestly, have any of these type of portraits been very good? And should we consider that maybe our eyes are so spoiled by heavily Photoshopped images that we have unrealistic expectations for a painted image?
What do you think of the official portrait of the Duchess?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the artist has conveyed a sharpness in the eyes, and in the compressed mouth, her steely determination perhaps! This woman is no pushover. That’s what comes across.
Well it is portrait, and she looks beautiful! A certain amount artists intrpretation is to be inspected isn’t it? Had I never before seen gorgeous photo’s of the actual live Princess, then I would have to say next to Princess Diana, it is fantastic likeness of her!! Jolly good job!! In a hundred years, They won’t find a more beautiful portrait of Royalty.
I love her! I think if she’s happy with the portrait it really doesn’t matter what we think. I think it’s great by the way. It would be fake if she were all dolled up in a tiara and jewels. People relate to her because she’s “real”, and that’s how she is portrayed in this portrait. THUMBS UP!
I scrolled down on the page and my first reaction was “Eeeuhhh, yikes!” Photoshop and computers aside, this is a pretty harshly done portrait. The artist has made her look a bit older and more masculine than she really is. Overall, I find it a rather stiff and awkward depiction of Catherine, whereas in photos her facial expressions always appear much more relaxed and at ease (even in formal pictures). I’ve seen other royal portraits that have turned out much better. You’d think that the royal family might have hired a better artist. This one definitely doesn’t get my vote.
I don’t think it captures her sweetness. It makes her look older than she does.
Tina said it well!