To commemorate the 60 years Her Majesty has served as Patron of the British Red Cross, the Queen has unveiled a new portrait by artist Henry Ward at Windsor Castle. The portrait, which was commissioned by the Red Cross has received mix reviews from art critics and from those on social media.
Art critic and writer, Sir Roy Strong told the Daily Mail that he was ‘stunned’ by the work.
He said: “I see what he’s trying to do – she is 90 after all, she’s not easy to paint,’ he said. ‘But he’s trying to do a grand state portrait and he hasn’t got the talent.
“I think this is a lost opportunity. It’s not fit to hang on the railings of Kensington Gardens.
‘The only thing they can really do is cut it down to just her head and shoulders so they can hang it somewhere less conspicuous. It’s the sort of thing you see drawn on the pavement and people put money down. It must have been dreadful for the Queen.”
However, Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said the purpose of the portrait is to “celebrate the strong relationship between the British Red Cross and the Royal Family and the history of our life-saving work.”
And indeed, there are references to this link between the Royal Family and the Red Cross seen in the portrait. The Queen is in the White Drawing Room at Windsor castle. dressed in her Garter Robes, behind her, is a bust of Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross.
Her Majesty is depicted wearing the Kokoshnik tiara which was originally worn by Queen Alexandra who served as President of the British Red cross Society in 1908 just after it was granted a Royal Charter.
Whether you agree with the critics or not, one matter that can’t be disputed is the Queen’s decades of dedication and service to the British Red Cross, a tradition started by Queen Victoria, it’s first patron.
Sadly, the robe with its folds really does look a bit cartoonish, but it’s not something “drawn on a pavement for someone to put money into.” I think we have a bit of a snob criticizing the portrait. Critics raved in paroxysms of ecstasy about those portraits of the Queen looking like a ghostly head, wrinkled prune or death mask. Good grief!
So a charity the Red Cross has commissioned a painting of the Queen! Paid for from donations to the Red Cross no doubt. Glad to know our money is so well spent and not wasted on refugees and their ilk!
I posted a few days ago that she resembles the actress Stephanie Cole in the portrait. What is she wearing on her head? It looks like she is about to start some heavy-duty housecleaning and wants to protect her hairdo.