Artist Behind King Charles Portrait Explains The Artwork, Says Charles Was 'Initially Mildly Surprised'
Opinions on King Charles III portrait crafted by British artist Jonathan Yeo seem divided among art experts and have caused an influx of debates online.
Following the recent unveiling of a striking portrait depicting King Charles — which garnered widespread attention globally — numerous art connoisseurs are now sharing their perspectives on the artwork.
The inaugural official depiction of the 75-year-old king since his coronation in May 2023 made its debut inside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
In the portrait, characterized by a vivid red palette, Charles is portrayed donning red military attire, seated with his hand resting on his sword against a backdrop of vibrant red. Positioned above the king's right shoulder is a monarch butterfly.
Yeo told the BBC that Charles gave his stamp of approval on the modern portrait, noting that when the king viewed an early rendition of the painting he was "initially mildly surprised by the strong color but otherwise he seemed to be smiling approvingly."
Camilla, the queen consort, similarly expressed her satisfaction with the portrait. "Yes, you've got him," she reportedly said upon her initial viewing, the artist recounted.
Yeo, renowned for portraits of royal figures, sought to innovate with his depiction of King Charles, blending traditional elements like the Welsh Guards uniform with contemporary touches such as a bold red palette and a symbolic butterfly. His goal, as stated by Buckingham Palace, was to honor royal portraiture traditions while reflecting the essence of a 21st-century monarchy.
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Speculation arose about the symbolism of the red hue, ranging from associations with British colonialism to Charles's suppressed emotions. Yeo explained on his website that the red tones echo the Welsh Guards uniform, adding a contemporary twist to royal portraiture.
The shades of red "echo the uniform's bright red tunic, not only resonating with the royal heritage found in many historical portraits but also injecting a dynamic, contemporary jolt into the genre with its uniformly powerful hue."
Yeo incorporated a monarch butterfly into the portrait to symbolize Charles' evolving role, as he explained to the BBC. According to his website, the butterfly serves as a visual contrast to the military imagery, symbolizing rebirth and transformation, reflecting Charles' journey toward kingship during the portrait's creation.
