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King Charles unveils his first portrait since coronation
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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain’s King Charles on Tuesday unveiled the first official portrait of himself since his coronation last May.
The portrait by artist Jonathan Yeo depicts Charles against a background of vivid red hues, wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards military unit, with a butterfly just above his shoulder.
“Much like the butterfly I’ve painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject’s role in our public life has transformed,” Yeo, 53, who has previously painted Charles’ late father Prince Philip, said in a statement.
“My aim was also to make reference to the traditions of Royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st Century Monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject’s deep humanity.”
The portrait unveiled at Buckingham Palace was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of the grant-giving body, The Drapers’ Company, in 2022, the palace said.
Yeo’s past subjects have included British broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, Oscar-winning actor Nicole Kidman and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The oil on canvas artwork, which measures about 8-1/2 by 6-1/2 feet, is expected to be displayed at Drapers’ Hall in the City of London – the capital’s financial district – from the end of August, the palace said.
(Reporting by Muvija MEditing by Ros Russell)
A portrait is a representation of a person, typically showing the face and upper body. It can be created using various mediums, including painting, photography, or sculpture.
A monarch is a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor, who usually inherits their position and rules for life or until abdication.
Royal portraiture refers to the artistic representation of royalty, often intended to convey power, status, and the personality of the subject, typically commissioned for public display.
A royal portrait serves to commemorate significant events, such as a coronation, and to reinforce the image and legacy of the monarchy in public life.
An oil painting is a painting created with pigments suspended in oil, typically linseed oil. This medium allows for rich colors and textures and has been used by artists for centuries.
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