Love it or hate it? It would appear that the first official painted portrait of King Charles III has polarized many of those who care to comment.The huge, vividly red work is by Jonathan Yeo, who has also painted Tony Blair, Sir David Attenborough and Malala Yousafzai.
As some of you will know, I'm not a monarchist and while I had affection for her Majesty, Queen Elzabeth II, that does not extend to Charles, for the most part. I am impressed by this painting because the boldness of the colour differs sharply from the stodgy tradition of paintings of nobility. And then there's the butterfly. According to the BBC:
Yeo decided to use some of the traditions of royal portraiture - the military outfit, the sword - but aimed to achieve something more modern, particularly with the deep colour and the butterfly.
He says he's referencing the tradition of official royal portraits but suggesting that's something "from the past and what's interesting about them is something a bit different from that".
"In history of art, the butterfly symbolises metamorphosis and rebirth," he explains, fitting for a portrait being painted of a monarch who has recently ascended to the throne.
The butterfly is also a reference to the King's long held interest in the environment, causes "he has championed most of his life and certainly long before they became a mainstream conversation".
Yeo says it was Charles' idea after they talked about the opportunity they had to tell a story with the portrait. "I said, when schoolchildren are looking at this in 200 years and they're looking at the who's who of the monarchs, what clues can you give them?
"He said 'what about a butterfly landing on my shoulder?'".
In tradition the butterfly is also a traditional Christian symbol, although not found in the bible. Charles is a Christian and was soon back at church after surgery and an unexpected diagnosis of cancer so even though the painting was done before this unwelcome news the butterfly is a hopeful sign.
For Charles faith and care for Creation are intertwined. In his Christmas address last December the King offered ""Honouring the whole of creation is a belief shared by all religions. To care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none. We care for the Earth for the sake of our children's children."
God bless the King, and save him.
2 comments:
Interesting to compare the Tony Blair portrait with Charles'. PM Blair's is much more representational. But there is also a symbol - a bit of a wilted poppy whcich he was wearing during the sitting and which the artist left in the portrait. It's open to interpretation. On the other hand Charles' requested/appreciated the butterfly. KB
Yes, Kathy, what is the purpose of a portrait? Some prtrait painters are popular because they are inclined to flatter the subject. I wasn't aware of the Blair poppy. His part in the massive boondoggle of the Iraq War certainly wilted his legacy and Britain's reputation.
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