King Charles III First Official Portrait Has Mixed Reviews. Poll

[Lara]

The first official painted portrait of King Charles III since his coronation has been unveiled at Buckingham Palace.
The vast oil on canvas shows a larger-than-life King Charles in the uniform of the Welsh Guards.
The vivid red work, measuring about 8ft 6in by 6ft 6in, is by Jonathan Yeo, who has also painted Tony Blair, Sir David Attenborough and Malala Yousafzai.
Queen Camilla is said to have looked at the painting and told Yeo: "Yes, you've got him."
In the new portrait, the King is depicted, sword in hand, with a butterfly landing on his shoulder.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/...-portrait-king-draws-mixed/story?id=110223790

 

[palides2021]

Yikes! What a difficult painting to like! The red background is too chaotic for my taste.

 

[Lara]

I like his face but all the red is shocking. The poll is not public so your name won't show.

 

[RadishRose]

It doesn't look like him.

 

[davey]

Appauling - who painted it one of his grandkids? - who agreed to it - the Queen in her dotage - still it gets the popn muttering over their campfires at night!

 

[Lara]

I added a link at the bottom of the OP...News that gives more detail.

 

[Mizmo]

Too much red but the face and his position is good

 

[Jules]

Not sure of Edited to say that I have no idea at all the significance of the red.

 

[davey]

neither does 99% of the UK popn or the world? - still all a bit of fun in drab times?

 

[hearlady]

I'm still thinking about it. My first thought was blood. Shocking.
Then looking at the likeness. A good portrait.
I'm still thinking.

 

[Gary O']

My eyes are shot for the day
But what I can make out;
Jacob Marley in the door handle knob scene comes to mind

 

[DebraMae]

My first reaction was to flash back to Obama's portrait. It is definitely not what I would consider traditional but the likeness is good and the times do change. I wonder how posterity will view it.

 

[davey]

well can tell ya one thing I would never agree to a portrait of mine looking like that?

 

[Jace]

Oh! my...
There are no words!!!

 

[jujube]

I don't think it looks that much like him, I hate all the red (and I LOVE red), and the butterfly is a little twee.

 

[birdy]

I don't think it looks much like him either. Different with all the red.

 

[Naturally]

Suitable for a magazine article illustration MAYBE
Trying to think where it might be appropriately hung ... bedroom?

Wonder what his mother would think?

EDIT: All that said, I think the artist is talented

 

[Happy Heart]

Suitable for a magazine article illustration MAYBE
Trying to think where it might be appropriately hung ... bedroom?

Wonder what his mother would think?

EDIT: All that said, I think the artist is talented

I vote for hanging it in the basement, wrong side out.

 

[Nathan]

Why? As an "official" portrait I consider it an epic Fail.

 

[Lara]

The artist could, and should, paint a wash over the red in another color like blue (making it a purple-ish blue-ish) to tone it down at least. It would be easy to do. "His visage is set off by a sea of red behind him which blends with his uniform, reportedly that of the Welsh Guards, a division of the British Army in which Charles is regimental colonel."

The butterfly, Yeo explains, “In history of art, the butterfly symbolizes metamorphosis and rebirth.” That’s appropriate for a portrait of a recently-ascended monarch. It also signifies a King who has championed environmental causes.

 

[WheatenLover]

I don't like all the red. Other than that, I think the artist did a fabulous job.

 

[Warrigal]

Had a second look and I am reminded of Han Solo encased in red carbonite.

 

[Lady]

Its not easy on the eyes with all that red , His head looks like its been added as a last thought , I had a painting gifted me from a London Street Artist , Red is the prominate colour in that too , perhaps Red was going free or cheap at the wholesalers..

 

[Lara]

Jonathan Yeo's other portraits he has painted all in very subtle colors.
And their heads all match the rest of their bodies. It looks to me like
King Charles' head and hands are floating out there on their own.
(I just now saw your text Lady about his head. Interesting we posted at the same time.)



)

 

[-Oy-]

A skilled portrait that seems to have captured him well. But lose the red.