The first official portrait of King Charles III since his coronation last month has been released, but the regal painting is proving to be quite divisive among the British public.
The large equestrian portrait by artist Lucian Freud depicts the 74-year-old monarch riding a horse against the backdrop of Windsor Castle. Commissioned by the Royal Collection Trust, the oil-on-canvas painting measures an imposing 8.5 feet by 6.5 feet.
While grandiose royal portraits are a longstanding tradition, this latest artwork has sparked criticism from some quarters over its cost, style, and necessity in modern times. However, royal supporters have rallied behind the portrait as a fitting representation of the newly crowned king.
“The Freud portrait captures His Majesty’s dignity and strength of character,” said Alistair Graham, a royal commentator. “Love it or hate it, official portraits like this are important symbols that continue an unbroken visual record of British monarchs stretching back centuries.”
But the £275,000 ($350,000) commission has drawn backlash at a time when many Britons are struggling with a soaring cost of living crisis. “This is King Charles showing he is completely out of touch by spending such an obscene sum on personal portraiture,” complained Norman Baker, a former government minister.
The exorbitant cost has been linked to Freud’s fame as one of the 20th century’s preeminent artists known for his impasto painting technique. His 1995 work “Benefits Supervisor Sleeping” fetched $33.6 million at auction in 2008.
Style-wise, critics have derided the portrait’s old-fashioned and drab aesthetic, with one writing that it “looks like it was painted 300 years ago.” The Royal Collection Trust has countered that the classic style intentionally emulates renowned equestrian portraits from centuries past.
Defenders argue the painting is a priceless work of art that will be cherished for generations as part of the Royal Collection. “You can’t put a price on these historic treasures that will be appreciated more and more over time,” said royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith.
Whatever one’s view, the controversial portrait is symbolic of the challenges King Charles faces striving to uphold tradition while making the monarchy appear relevant today. The painting will join hundreds of other pieces in the Royal Collection’s touring exhibitions.
While divisive, this official portrait flap is unlikely to overshadow King Charles’ upcoming scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the country’s cost of living crisis and other pressing issues. But the debate does underscore how every move by the Royal Family faces intense public scrutiny in today’s media environment.
