New Portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales Ignites Royal Debate
The latest portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales has ignited a heated debate among royal enthusiasts, who are divided over its depiction of the future British Queen.
A new portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales has caused a stir on the internet, with some royal fans not happy with how the future British Queen is depicted.
The painting, created by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor, is showcased on the front of the July edition of Tatler magazine. The goal of the portrait is to celebrate the princess's "strength and dignity," as stated in a message from the magazine sent to CNN on Thursday.
Catherine was depicted at the first state banquet of King Charles III’s reign by Uzor. She mentioned studying photographs of the princess while creating the artwork.
In a statement, Uzor explained that when unable to meet the subject in person, she carefully observed various photographs to capture subtle human moments. She looked for specific ways of standing, holding the head, hands, and any recurring gestures to bring out the essence of the individual.
The Princess of Wales pictured at the state banquet on November 21, 2023.
The Princess of Wales pictured at the state banquet on November 21, 2023.
Yui Mok/Reuters
Uzor also revealed that Kate’s recent video announcing a cancer diagnosis informed the work.
She stated, "All my portraits are created by combining different aspects of a person's personality that I gather."
Unfortunately, not everyone liked how the princess was depicted.
One comment under a post from Tatler on X expresses disappointment, suggesting that the artist may not be a fan of the Princess. The comment compares the artwork to a bad GCSE project.
Another comment criticizes the artwork, stating that it bears no resemblance to the Princess of Wales. The commenter deems the artwork as disrespectful and awful.
Artist Hannah Uzor.
Artist Hannah Uzor.
Tatler
“I agree with the sentiments of strength and dignity but the portrait lacks any resemblance to the Princess of Wales,” said another.
However, some did praise the work, with one calling the painting “beautiful.”
“Am I the only person who likes this? It’s art, not a photo,” wrote another commenter.
Not only did social media users react to the painting, but also Alastair Sooke, chief art critic at UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph, expressed his opinion. In an article, he described the painting as "intolerably bad" and mentioned that it "shows no flicker of resemblance to its subject."
"Can you think of a royal portrait that looks more dull and uninteresting?" Sooke asked. "With a helmet-like hairstyle that looks like it's made of Lego blocks, this Princess of Wales looks as charming as a cheap figurine on a wedding cake."
This undated photo issued on Tuesday May 14, 2024 by Buckingham Palace shows artist Jonathan Yeo's oil on canvas portrait of Britain's King Charles III. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975.
An oil on canvas portrait of Britain's King Charles III, created by artist Jonathan Yeo, was unveiled by Buckingham Palace. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to honor the King's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022. In the artwork, King Charles III is portrayed wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, a position he was appointed to in 1975.
Related article
King Charles’ first official portrait since coronation proves divisive
Kate Mansey, royal editor at The Times of London, was also non-plus.
“I’m not quite sure what to say about this one, except, hmm…” she wrote on X.
The backlash comes after people discussed the first official portrait of King Charles III since his coronation, which was unveiled recently.
The painting, created by British artist Jonathan Yeo, measures 8.5 by 6.5 feet and shows the monarch in the uniform of the Welsh Guards, holding a sword. He is set against a vibrant red background that seems to engulf him, with a butterfly poised to land on his shoulder.
While the King is reportedly happy with the portrait, others criticized the lurid red brushstrokes, with one person likening it to a “poster for a horror film.”
Editor's P/S:
The portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales, has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising its artistic merit while others criticizing its resemblance to the subject. While art is subjective, the public's response highlights the challenges of capturing the essence of a prominent figure, especially one who is both admired and scrutinized. The artist's choice to portray the Princess's strength and dignity through symbolism and interpretation has generated debate, indicating the complexities involved in creating a definitive representation of a public figure.
Furthermore, the article also discusses the recent controversy surrounding the first official portrait of King Charles III, which has been met with similar criticism. These incidents underscore the ongoing discussion about the role of royal portraits, which serve both as historical records and as artistic expressions, often reflecting the cultural and societal values of their time.
