Hello, dear readers, I popped online expecting to see photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the first-ever Cambridgeshire County Day. I was surprised to see not only did the couple have several embargoed engagements beforehand, but their first official joint portrait has been released. It's an incredibly exciting (and long overdue in my view) milestone for the couple who celebrated their eleventh wedding anniversary in April. Now, I know you're all dying to get to the portrait, so here it is...
Award-winning portrait artist Jamie Coreth was chosen for the significant commission. Of the finished work he said: "It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture. I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified. As it is the first portrait to depict them together, and specifically during their time as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wanted the image to evoke a feeling of balance between their public and private lives. The piece was commissioned as a gift for the people of Cambridgeshire, and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed creating it."
The artwork was commissioned last year by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund as a gift to Cambridgeshire. We are so accustomed to recognizing William and Kate as 'the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge' it's often easy to forget they will hold the titles of the Prince and Princess of Wales in the future. It's often difficult to acknowledge that because it so sadly means Her Majesty will have passed. I think increasingly behind-the-scenes preparations are being made. I love the fact that this portrait is for Cambridgeshire -- a point not lost on the talented Coreth who incorporated the City of Cambridge into the background with tones of historical Cambridge stone buildings and the use of a hexagonal architectural motif.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to view the portrait at the University of Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum for the next three years. It is envisaged it will travel to other artwork spaces around Cambridgeshire afterwards. It will also be loaned to Kate's patronage, the National Portrait Gallery, for a short time next year to mark the gallery's reopening.
Indeed, the National Portrait Gallery commissioned the first portrait of the Duchess by Paul Emsley. It was unveiled in 2013 to mixed reviews. The National Portrait Gallery's painting of it's patron was commissioned with the support of Sir Hugh Leggatt, in memory of Sir Denis Mahon, through the Art Fund. Kate was involved in the selection process, from which artist Paul Emsley, the 2007 winner of the Gallery's BP Portrait Award competition, was chosen by Director Sandy Nairne to paint her official portrait. I felt the portrait, which was primarily created with the use of photographs and didn't quite capture Kate, certainly not in the way today's portrait does. It's long been rumoured Prince Charles commissioned Nicky Philipps portrait of Kate shortly after the royal wedding, and I do hope we see it someday.
What does one choose to wear for a prestigious portrait such as this? As with Paul Emsley's portrait above, in which Kate chose a French Connection top, we saw another off-the-rack piece from Kate's own wardrobe -- this time, the Vampire's Wife dress Kate debuted in Dublin in 2020.
The £1,595 Falconetti dress is described: "Fabricated from iridescent emerald silk metallic chiffon the 'Falconetti' falls to an elegant three quarter length, finished with softly gathered self ruffles at the hem. Slim fitting bodice is precisely shaped to flatter the figure. Three quarter length semi-sheer sleeves edged with ruffles." The dress remains available at Matches Fashion.
A closer look at the shimmering fabric.
Middleton Maven noted Kate teamed the dress with a divine pair of Manolo Blahnik Hangisi 105 Embellished Satin Pumps.
I imagine, more than anything, lengthy thought was given to the choice of jewels. For the first time, we saw the Duchess wearing (another overdue moment if I may say so) the Duchess of Cambridge's Pearl Pendant Brooch.
'The brooch is classic in its design: a large pearl, surrounded by a cluster of diamonds, with a diamond and pearl pendant suspended from the cluster. The piece was likely made by Garrard some time in the middle of the nineteenth century, with a setting made of silver. The pendant is detachable, and the cluster also features a loop that allows the entire piece to be worn as a pendant.
According to Hugh Roberts’s landmark jewelry book, The Queen’s Diamonds, the royals simply call this piece “the Duchess of Cambridge’s Brooch.” The Duchess in question isn’t the present one, but rather Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, the wife of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. An elderly Augusta wore the brooch in a portrait commissioned by her niece, Queen Victoria, in 1877.'
The Duchess also accessorised with the late Princess Diana's Collingwood Pearl earrings.
And Diana's triple-strand pearl bracelet by Nigel Milne.
Diana wore the elegant piece on a number of occasions -- most memorably with her Catherine Walker 'Elvis' outfit and Cambridge Lovers Knot Tiara. The bracelet features very distinctive 'spacers'.
Very fittingly, the Duke and Duchess began their busy day by visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum to view the portrait.
They were joined by artist Jamie Coreth, supporters of the project, and Lady Sybil Marshall, whose late husband, Sir Michael Marshall, was very much the driving force behind the project.
'William said, after looking at the painting: “It’s quite big. He told Coreth it was “amazing”.
The duke and duchess both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography.
William said in a Big Issue Q&A session published this week to mark his 40th birthday: “I studied a bit of art history at university."
A key objective of the Fitzwilliam Museum team is to ensure the portrait is used to encourage children and young people from across the country to take an interest and participate in art. The Museum has a renowned reputation for its learning and inclusion programmes. They also take a specific interest in early years, which ties in nicely with Kate's initiatives.
Mr Coreth with his finished work. I think we all agree, a round of applause is in order.
More on his background from his official website:
'Jamie Coreth graduated from Oxford in 2010 with a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology. Keen to pursue a career as an artist, he studied at the London Atelier of Representational Art and the Florence Academy of Art. In 2014 he graduated from the Academy where, alongside his own studies, he had been working as an Art History lecturer and assistant tutor.
In June 2016, a year after returning to London, his portrait Dad Sculpting Me was awarded the Young Artist Award at the BP Portrait Awards, National Portrait Gallery, London. The painting depicts Jamie’s father, the sculptor Mark Coreth, sculpting Jamie. The pair ‘sat’ for their respective portraits over the course of a month. The judges of the BP Portrait Award commented, “we were drawn to the timeless quality of the painting and its treatment of a father and son relationship through art”.
In 2018 Broken Bodies, an arresting portrait of former soldier, turned sculptor, Mark Jackson, was accepted into the BP Portrait Exhibition to much acclaim.
Two years later, his work Portrait of Fatima was shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award – and was also selected for both the cover of the catalogue and the National Portrait Gallery’s marketing campaign. He later won the Visitors’ Choice with over 1,000 votes.
With three entries into this prestigious award, Jamie Coreth has established himself as one of Britain’s leading portrait artists. He paints with an intelligence and originality. He focusses on the character of his sitters, evoking a sense of their presence in his work. His technical facility sits in harmony with a modern vision.'
A lengthy eight minute video of the visit.
I'll be covering the day's remaining engagements and outfit details for the Duchess in the next post. I wanted to share this with you all first.
I absolutely love this portrait of them both! Stunning for sure!
ReplyDelete-FloridaGirl
Right there with you FloridaGirl! Love the way they are looking off, love the Duchess of Cambridge brooch, love that it is for Cambridgeshire, love how the artist definitely captures William and Kate, and love the style of the painting, it is impressive.
DeleteOn another note Kate looks lovely in this soft airy dress, paired with her blue coat! The print of the dress almost has Monet like strokes to it. Lastly, love W & K's reaction to the painting, they seem somewhat humbled.
Well, quite an interesting event. Mr. Coreth is an excellent portraitist, a bit unusual in this day and age, since his style would have been at home in the 19th century; in fact, the elegant John Singer Sargent comes to mind when I look at Coreth's work. This is a fine and straightforward piece of work, extremely skilled though not pretending to be anything other than accurate portraiture as differentiated from a work in an idiosyncratic style that happens to have been deployed for the purposes of a portrait. I think the Duchess's coloring is a bit overdone, but that can be necessary in portraiture. Her usual natural look wouldn't make much of an impact on canvas.
ReplyDeleteSargent would approve.
Unfortunately, I can't put my own stamp of approval on what the Duchess chose to wear. I've always loved the color of this dress but hate the metallic fabric and the design, which fairly screams "boring tea dress!" to me. I don't much care for the shoes, either, while the jewelry, though symbolically significant, merely increases the somewhat staid impression. I really would have liked to see the Duchess wear something more interesting, though I think the color works very well.
That might be said of most of Catherine's sartorial choices of late. Same old same old. I'm not surprised as she is on the Queen-Consort-in-waiting and establishing her signature uniform and stable of designers just as Her Majesty has. She's never going to stray in the direction of Maxima or Letizia.
DeleteQueen Letizia is more fashion-forward but still relatively conservative. The Duchess could do far worse than take a leaf from her book.
DeleteVittoria, I saw Queen Letizia in a wonderful B&W dress in Havana yesterday and thought how amazing it would look on both Kate and Meghan.
DeleteDon't really care for that dress. I don't like the bottom of the dress. The portrait reminds me of the portraits from the 60's and 70's with the way they are looking off into the distance.
ReplyDeleteI didn't much like the dress when she first wore it but I like it here and think the artist has done a terrific job of capturing both the dress and W&K. I also like the dress she wore today but I'm over the long coats.
ReplyDeleteWhy choose this design for the portrait? The fabric is beautiful but the frills on the arms and bottom of dress makes it look like a dated curtain or bedskirt.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Of all the dresses in her wardrobe this is the least attractive. I thought it awful the first time I saw it and haven't changed my mind.
DeleteThe portrait is very nice, although I am surprised they still do this, in the photography era... I am not a fan of the dress either but the colour looks great on her. And those Manolo Blahnik... wow! Sex & The City's fans will instantly recognize them (Carrie wore them in blue).
ReplyDeleteI liked these shoes fifteen years ago, but they look dated in 2022. I must be in the minority, because I think they are still available at MB. A classic dress in a simple style may have looked better for history.
DeletePhotography is throw-away art. Royal portraits done in oil,are meant to last for prosperity, for all ,times ....
DeleteFunny about the shoes, Crown Princess Mary wore a similar pair in a shade of marigold for her visit to the Netherlands.
DeleteWell said, Anon 03:06. My husband was a portrait artist, classically trained, and maintained that no photograph could ever replace a painted portrait .The photograph will fade and deteriorate while an oil painting, or even more, egg tempera will last indefinitely and can be cleaned. 15th century altarpieces case in point.
DeleteThe dress in the portrait is so 80s to me, and not in a good way…I don’t think it’s a very timeless look for a portrait. Love the brooch though and the way the couple is posed and how they’re captured. Very lifelike, great facial expressions.
ReplyDeleteThis dress was chosen dress of the decade and it will still look good ten years from now. I feel people here have a different clothe style to what’s on trend and that’s why Kate’s choices are always criticized.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you 100 percent! It gets to be tiring reading the negatives here from reader's personal likes/dislikes when she is wearing something on trend and the fashion magazines are praising it in the meantime.
DeleteCatherine looks amazing in green and I really like this portrait of her so much better than the previous one of her by herself.
This dress isn't really "on trend"; it's actually a very conservative and traditional design, except for the metallic fabric, though I wouldn't say that's particularly trendy at the moment either. And of course many people here have different fashion preferences. That's what makes sites like this interesting and enjoyable. You simply can't expect everyone to agree.
DeleteThe Duchess doesn't really dress in a trendy manner. She's very much a traditionalist, and her tastes are actually pretty conservative. People who follow fashion have been wishing she'd be more adventurous ever since she first appeared on the scene as Prince William's girlfriend, but that's just not her style.
I think she is a a beautiful young woman who is growing into her own style and tastes and doing a fantastic job i might add. Maybe she does play it safe to some degree but it works. Fashion aside, I am really struck by how happy they both look. S. ☺
DeleteI really was surprised -- I thought there would be little activity after the long Jubilee weekend but it keeps coming! :) I woke up to Kate's blue/multicolor outfit and was completely happy with the Monet affect of the beautiful hues. Then I saw there was a portrait. I think it's quite wonderful and there are definitely more pros than cons. It's so hard to capture someone -- one could take 100 photos and get 100 looks. Often I have thought Kate's or Meghan's outfit was awful, only to love it in a video. It seems like a cross between a portrait and a good photograph, but regardless, Kate looks very good. Makeup is a bit heavy but she has a great expression. She apparently did not get my memo that I hate all The Vampire's Wife clothes, though. I don't like the metallic fabric or flounce, but the artist has made it more like an elegant velvet curtain, so I have forgiven her. If she chose this dress, it is obviously what she really likes, and that fact is more important than my opinion. The broach is SO pretty! What a day for fashion watchers!!
ReplyDeleteI don’t like the dress choice in the portrait. She looks beautiful but the metallic dress just looks a bit chintzy to me. Tea length but shiny isn’t a look I care for. I do think she looks more beautiful in this than the previous portrait.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both (Florida Girl & Anon) you both said it so well! The Portrait is Absolute Perfection! I love how this portrait captures them both so well, but it also captures a "moment in time" that will be just one of the stages in their Royal Path.
ReplyDeleteBecca USA
Thank you Charlotte! I love getting all the details from you. What a wonderful surprise this morning! I feel like art is always so subjective. I am drawn to this more than her first portrait, and I didn’t love the side profile from her 40th birthday photographs.
ReplyDeleteI’m not an art major because here is my take: I think the artist captured the dress perfectly and it adds so much interest to the painting. We have tons of looks by Kate that will be timeless (Ascot, church etc) so it’s nice to see something current with the gorgeous, meaningful & historical jewelry. The brooch pops on the dress. Such fun shoes! LOVE the fitted suit on William with the pocket square. I think he has a very handsome face but this isn’t the best angle, in my opinion. Love that they are physically close but glad it doesn’t look like an engagement picture. Really cool how the artist incorporated the architecture of the buildings. Sue
Love your take on the portrait, Sue :)
DeleteWill and Kate look at bit out of sync in the portrait - he, jaunty and she, staid.
ReplyDeleteI agree and their position is really odd. It doesn't flow or look natural because her head is positioned a little to far from William's. Instead of the beauty of both of them it was the position that struck me first off.
DeleteUgh! Lovely portrait but this probably the absolute worst choice for a portrait dress. Shimmering, shiny and very unflattering to her figure. What was she thinking? The style of dress she wore to the actual event is much more appropriate (and quite lovely).
ReplyDelete-celticgirl
It looks as though the artist can’t quite capture noses. Kate’s nose looks too wide and William’s appears too long and bent. We aren’t used to seeing The Duchess not smiling so that could be part of it. One thing I will say, is that they appeared to have painted her with the fuller face in her early 20s than her more angular features at 40. It takes away a sense of sophistication.
ReplyDeleteI love this dress on her and the touch of glitz and the poses. Overall, well done. It’s difficult to capture in paintings such widely photographed and recognizable people. Long gone are the days when portraits were the only show of someone’s appearance to the public.
An INCREDIBLE likeness! I couldn't tell at first if it was a picture. Although the dress would not be my choice for an official portrait, I think it looks stunning in the picture with the shoes. I also think the look Kate has is reminiscent of a younger Kate and her smirks, etc. I really like it and I love the nods to Diana.
ReplyDeleteI studied a bit of art history in university like the Duke and Duchess. I am by no means an expert, or even close to a decent amateur, but I’m looking at some of the elements here that make this portrait great and timeless for me. This is only my humble opinion and I completely understand there are those who will disagree! First, their pose: casual, close to each other, arms around each other, leaning toward each other. All of this portrays that they are strong together, are equals in their relationship, have a deep bond, and rely on each other. Their eyes are looking out and away: a truly brilliant portrayal of the couple looking forward while not losing sight of the past (they’re looking both forward and behind - unbelievably difficult to express as an artist). They are also aware of each other, but also of what’s outside of themselves. Their clothing is less formal, but elegant and classic, indicating a responsibility to their elevated societal roles but also a connection to the people. The color green holds the symbolic meaning of renewal, new life, and a connection to nature - all things the Cambridges evoke in both their chosen causes and private life (the little we know). The sheen of her dress I feel is an important element she would have been aware of in choosing it: a little sparkle adds light and depth to the whole, and as they chose not to wear full Royal regalia with tiara and medals, this was a nice way to add a play of light. As for her shoes…well those are just plain fantastic, and no artistic analysis is needed! Overall, this portrait is, in my opinion, a smash hit. I couldn’t love it more. What a lovely surprise!
ReplyDeleteLove your perspective of the different aspects of the portrait. Thank you!
DeleteBrilliant comment, summed up the painting beautifully
DeleteWhat an absolutely lovely analysis of a beautiful portrait! So well said, please don't ever hold back on expressing yourself, this is a thoughtful and inspiring summary. Couldn't agree more, as we have been waiting for something like this and here it is....stunning.
DeleteAlthough I am not a fan of the dress I agree that the shine added some really lovely light and visual interest to the portrait.
DeleteI also think that when you see the painting in person to scale and with the texture of the oils and the lighting of the space where it is hung, the feel for the painting would be different from the photos of the painting. I am always surprised when I see paintings in person after years of seeing them in books how different they really look. Almost always better, I also think it will stand the test time. Ali
DeleteWhat a wonderful portrait of William and Kate - the artist did a good job capturing their closeness as a couple, but also their individual personalities. William looks sort of bemused, and her look suggests curiosity to me. Having them posed like that - tightly joined but attentive to something at a distance from the painter - is a nice way to show that they are very interested in what’s going on around them and not necessarily looking to make it “all about them.”
ReplyDeleteOn her dress in the painting: I didn’t love it when she wore it, but that’s almost always true of her bottom-ruffle dresses. That style is very trendy but I just don’t care for it. I also thought the crinkly metallic fabric seemed very dated. I’m not even sure what era it harkens back to, probably mid 1980s. But she managed to look good in it and apparently really loved it, as she chose it for this portrait. I think the artist did a good job modifying the actual color of the dress to match the shoes. I’d be willing to bet that the bright green in those shoes didn’t look great with the actual deeper forest green hue of the dress. FWIW, although I know the Manolos were very expensive, they look like cheap dyed-to-match bridesmaid shoes to me. I have a friend who has this pair in a gold color. She said they were the most uncomfortable shoes she’s ever worn and is delighted to be in pain whenever she has occasion to wear them. [Shrug]
I know Charlotte is going to post about today’s engagements and outfit, but I’m going to get ahead of the curve: the colors of her dress and coat are lovely, but I’m not getting the duster over the dress. A shorter blazer would have allowed more of that beautiful print on the dress to show. For me, a duster looks best with a shorter pencil skirt underneath.
The portrait is quite beautiful and really captures them very well. I wouldn’t have selected this dress either, but the color is great and I like the fact that they’re dressed up, but not over the top. Overall the artist did a spectator job!
ReplyDeleteI am utterly surprized at the level of analysing and negative opinions. I am absolutely on the side of the media thinking this is a great portrait excellently done and filled with beautiful symbolism regarding their rime as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
ReplyDeleteComments sections like this are partly about expressing opinions. Yours is welcome; so are those of others. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to share the same views.
DeleteAnd as someone whose profession involves analyzing and critiquing art, including British art, I can't say I think there's a thing wrong with it -- nor do I have any problem with expressing opinions of fashion. They can actually be related activities, as many art historians know.
I agree Lize, it's beautiful and love the symbolism!
DeleteWow so happy to see this painting. In the words of Prince William, "it's big!" First, Kate's choice of jewelry - perfection. So happy to see the Duchess of Cambridge brooch - could it have been gifted for Kate's 40th birthday? Diana's earrings and bracelet again perfect.
ReplyDeleteAgree with others that I'm surprised she choose this dress. Personally I would have chosen the Jenny Packham blue dress she wore on arrival in Canada - mainly because I love it. I wish she had parted her hair on the left (maybe that's a weird comment :-) because it would cascade on the right. I do think William is a better likeness. Perhaps it's because Kate is not smiling - she almost always is captured smiling and she has such a wonderful smile (maybe just a little one).
I like William's expression better than I like Kate's expression. I do think it's because she isn't smiling and she's almost always smiling! The dress choice surprised me though I do think Kate looks good in green and this shiny material shows off her fantastic figure. How great to see the Duchess of Cambridge brooch and to learn it can be worn 3 different ways. I hope we see it often in the future.
DeleteI think her look is somewhat subdued as a portrait and her look serene, which is more timeless.
DeleteGreat couple, great portrait!! It's so well detailed that at first, I thought it was a photo. I like the green dress, it reminds me of nature and connection to earth, themes so dear to both of them. I like their postures, their faces, glances, they're looking back but moving forward with their strength. It all works perfectly in harmony for me. I'd love to see in the future also a portrait of all the Cambridges' family.
ReplyDeleteI like most everything about this portrait and the concept that it captures this period when they are of Cambridge. I especially like that this artist flattered Catherine, unlike the earlier portrait of her. My quibble is with angle of the faces; looking left. In portraiture looking left connotes the past and closure. I would have preferred that the figures faced front enough so that they made eye contact with the viewer. If William and Catherine are staking a claim on empathy and being accessible, this would have been important to capture.
ReplyDeleteThey are looking to the right. Turn yourself around so you are looking the same way they are in the picture.
DeleteGood point about the angle of their faces.
DeleteI agree that they seem to be looking back since their bodies are pointed one direction and their faces the other. I think, however, that this is very intentionally done with the future in mind. In this portrait, painted for Cambridgeshire to commemorate their time as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, they are looking back with fondness on the time they shared that title and connection. My first thought, aside from how stunning the portrait is, was “Wow. I don’t think they are going to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge much longer.” A bittersweet thought, but it seems this portrait was painted with the end in mind of their looking back on this special time in their lives together and with Cambridgeshire.
DeleteI think you are right Anon 14:47, this is a moment in time that commemorates their roles as Duke and Duchess or Cambridge, and whether long or short, it's a long overdue memorialization.
DeleteFinally a portrait that looks like them. They had some bad luck with this stuff. Kate portrait from some years ago. The Diana statue. Kate’s birthday photos. All not really recognisable.
ReplyDeleteI disliked the dress a great deal in photos, but it works good on canvas.
What I find interesting is their pose. We never see them actually standing like this. It reminds me more of a movie poster. Willian’s pose gives me a 70‘s cool guy/James Bond vibe.
And both have a look as if they are internally laughing and rolling their eyes about something or someone. A mix between smirk and smug.
I like it a lot. But I still feel cheated out of a portrait of them all decked out. Uniform and jewels.
yes charlotte i agree with you a round of applause is in order! this is stunning and so realistic. i love how he captured her dress it is perfect . william looks just like himself but her nose is slightly off otherwise it looks very much like her
ReplyDeleteIn a half a century, they look at this Portrait and see themselves for ever young.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and modern. More relatable than the more formal, stuffy paintings of yore.
ReplyDeleteTedi
Yes Ted, THAT.....it is very relatable and so very William and Kate.
DeleteSorry, that should be Tedi :)
Delete:)
DeleteI also love how their joint portrait is being displayed in Cambridgeshire. William and Kate have gone through the most significant years of marriage as the cambridges. They got married, became parents, and full time royals as the Cambridge family. It’s lovely that they have a portrait depicting their time as the duke and duchess of Cambridge for the world to see in the present and future.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love this portrait of them both stunning the green gown i she wore Malaysia she looses absolute stunning
ReplyDeleteThe portrait looks lovely to me I'm no expert and art critics may differ but you don't get to the place of being chosen to do a royal portrait if you aren't good at what you do. I like that its not a formal portrait as they are to come in the future. The only thing I dislike is the dress in real life but I like how the artist has painted it and he has toned down the emerald green and made it a bit lighter. Big bonus is to see the beautiful brooch Kate is wearing.
ReplyDeleteI’m so impressed with the realism of the portrait after the disastrous solo portrait of Kate. I’d love to have seen Kate’s beautiful smile but I understand Royal portraits are more serious and sombre. Regardless, a milestone and the start of establishing William as the up and coming King.
ReplyDeleteThe solo portrait isn't at all a disaster; it's actually quite good.
DeleteAgree with you, Vittoria. I do like this portrait--I like the looking off to the side, I love how united the two of them look, and I like the color of Kate's dress--but I love the first portrait. Could have used a lighter color for the background, but it captures something wonderful in Kate's eyes, like she's hiding a secret from the viewer.
DeleteAgree Anon 5:22, it is like she's hiding a secret, like "I'm in it for the long haul, let me show you."
DeleteA very timeless and beautiful portrait. The portrait is about them as a team - I like that they are turned against each other and looking in the same direction: the future.
ReplyDeleteI get a slightly off vibration from William's "Great Gatsby" stance - a sort of "me and my woman" kind of thing :-) - and although I was never a fan of the dress, I believe it works well portrait wise.
Like the portrait, but that dress is awful!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the minority but I much prefer the solo portrait of Kate. This looks nothing like her. The eyes and nose are completely wrong and it feels very flat. It captures none of her joy or beauty.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was quite struck by the painting, very different style. I really would like to stand before to get the full effect. William looks very attractive and suave - The next Bond !
ReplyDeleteI love the portrait for many reasons, we live in a world very different than any other time where as fashion anything goes. I love the look on their faces, and their bodies are done beautifully, their stance is very modern while wearing traditional and a little bit boring clothing. I personally would love to have seen Kate wearing all white, perhaps one of her beautiful dresses she wore for her babies christenings.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add that I think Kate always looks great in green/greenish/teal/ emerald/ecc... Charlotte, would it be possible to have a post with all the greenish outfits?
ReplyDeleteI'd say that although I like this green dress, my fav. color on her is teal and my favourites are:
- Jenny Peckham teal dress gown at the Olympics gala in 2012.
- the recent Jenny Peckham gown with glitter Jamaica ball.
- Edeline Lee flowing emerald dress with bucket belt, bows on sleeves, this year at London Design Museum.
- Turquoise silk-georgette floor-length gown, worn in 2019.
There are still so many... And so many green coats.. :) :) Thank you.
Stella that's a wonderful idea for the quiet period over the summer. We'll definitely do that.
DeleteGreat idea. I had a similar thought. It would be nice - during that August quiet period - to have a post that shows Kate in 12 of her favorite and popular colors - Red, Fushia, Pink, Navy, Royal Blue, Light Blue, Teal, Green, Mint Green, Yellow, Beige, and White - and include a poll where readers get to vote for their favorite color. Given she has a gown, dress, coat dress or coat, hats, and now some pant suits in so many of those colors. The hardest thing would be picking 4 or 5 styles for each color :-)
Delete@Stella_Italy by far my favorite teal that Kate wore was at Westminster Abbey when she arrived with Prince Harry for Anzac Day wearing Catherine Walker and that fabulous Rosie Olivia hat.
Charlotte, I'm wondering, was there a portrait painted of Charles and Diana? Certainly lots of pictures (with tiaras and regalia) but wondering if there is one and what it looks like. And same with HM and PP. It would be an interesting comparison and show change over time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I wrote about Diana's portraits years ago and I remember being very surprised not to find one. https://theroyaldigest.blogspot.com/2013/01/iconic-royals-princess-dianas-portraits.html
DeleteThanks so much for sharing that link. Of course my favorite has always been the Nelson Shanks in 1994 - I wonder if her brother is still in possession of it. I would imagine her sons would each want a painting of their beautiful mother. I don't think I have ever seen the 1984 by John Stanton Ward or the 1986 Richard Foster - which might be my new favorite.
DeleteStill very interesting that Diana was painted so frequently - almost every 3 years - and yet no painting of the Prince and Princess of Wales together.
It's a beautiful painting. Well done to the artist. I think this dress is a love or hate for most people. I love it and love the colour on her. Prince William looks very dashing. I have hoped I would see The Duchess wear this Cambridge brooch some day but I thought it would be a worn as a pendant on a chain. It gets me thinking what other pices The Queen has set aside for her to wear. Diana's pearl earrings and bracelet were a perfect choice. I would really love her see her wearing The Queens three pearl bracelet and The Queen Mother's pearl ring with her more formal pearl and diamond jewellery. S. ☺
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning portrait!
ReplyDeleteA true master piece!
If it is at all possible for us to imagine ourselves in the shoe of the painter, I wonder what would our considerations be? What colour tone would we want to use and what composition will we be looking out for?
As much as the persons portrayed are involved in the painting, one should also be cognizant of the painter’s state of mind as well.
A piece of portrait is hugely different from a photograph. If we wish to see an exact replica of the object, a photo will be able to satisfy that. A portrait is always an artist’s impression of the outward projection of the reality he sees. Depending on the medium used and the artist own interpretation and skill, the portrait will take on a life of its own as time passes by.
A truly great portrait will stand the test of time, and I strongly believe that this portrait will become an epitome of the era we are in today.
A great master piece of our time indeed! 👍👍👍
Beautifully said!
DeleteAgree Anon 13:56, this portrait was a vision by the artist with consideration of colors, texture, symbols, the current time and the historical concept etc. Catherine and William may have had some input into what they wore but I assume it was done after talking with the artist and the artist going through a catalogue of their clothes and then either picking one look or a few to be chosen from. Also I noted above that to see the painting in person will be very different from what we see in photos. Ali
DeleteKudos to Mr Coreth! He captured them so beautifully. It's them. I think they must have been very pleased by what he achieved. And I'd love to be a fly on the wall and observe their interactions while he was working on the portrait!! 😉
ReplyDeleteI can’t say I love this portrait. IMO it works but isn’t brilliant. He captured Kate’s face of her early twenties pre-engagement, not how she looks currently.
ReplyDelete