“A painting as human as royal”

Two thick black curtains hid the work in which two reputed artists have been used thoroughly. A task as demanding and delicate as portraying the kings of the United Kingdom. But they did not fail. “I love it,” he exclaimed Carlos III being portrayed with its mantle of state and standing next to the Imperial State Crown. The Queen CamilaHe was also satisfied, painted with the dress he chose for the coronation of ivory silk, but with a different crown.

The new official portraits were presented, on Tuesday, on the occasion of the second anniversary of their coronation, on May 6, 2023. They will be exhibited for a month in the National Gallery de Londres Before being transferred to Buckingham Palace.

The monarchs have personally selected the artists who have painted the paintings, each to theirs. Peter Kuhfeldthe one chosen by Carlos III, has said that he has known the king for more than 40 years and felt “honest” to ask him to paint his portrait of state by the coronation. Paul Benney He has described as “an honor, a privilege and a real pleasure” having been the artist chosen by Queen Camila.

Kuhfeld explained in a statement released by Buckingham Palace that the confidence that Carlos de England has deposited in him comes from afar. «He asked me to paint the Princes, Guillermo and Enriquewhen they were five and three years old. Without I knew, that was the first of the many orders made by his real highness, which I then accompanied in many of his trips abroad, ”said the artist.

«I have tried to make a painting that is both human and royal, Continuing the real portrait tradition, ”said Kuhfeld in a statement on the image of the king, whose background is the throne room of the St. James Palace.

The tradition of painting the monarchs dates back to more than 400 years. Historically, these portraits were used as a demonstration of power. The oldest example in the Royal Collection is the state portrait of Jacobo I of England, Jacobo VI of Scotland, 1620.