Royal Portraits at Buckingham: A Century of Photography

Mise à jour 3 juin 2024 par Redak

London is adorned with majesty with a unique exhibition of its kind: “Royal portraits: a century of photography”. Hosted at Buckingham Palace, this retrospective takes a journey through a century of royal portraits, providing an intimate and official perspective on the British royal family.

A Historical and Modern Gallery

Open to the public from May 24 to October 6, 2024, the King’s Gallery (formerly the Queen’s Gallery) reveals its photographic treasures for the first time. This emblematic place of Buckingham Palace is now dedicated to the celebration of the art of royal portraiture, mixing tradition and modernity.

Emblematic Portraits

King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II

Among the 150 photos on display, visitors will be able to admire major works such as the official portrait of King Charles III, taken for his coronation. Another highlight of the exhibition is the famous portrait of Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation in 1953 by Cecil Beaton, as well as that taken in 2016 by American photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon

The exhibition is not limited to official portraits. It also reveals more personal moments, such as the photos of Princess Margaret, captured with a confident look by her husband Lord Snowdon. These intimate photographs offer a unique insight into the private lives of members of the royal family.

Family Portraits and Intimate Moments

Another treasure revealed for the first time is a portrait of four royal mothers with their newborns in 1964. This never-before-seen photo is a poignant testimony to the family moments shared by royalty.

Diana, William and Kate

The exhibition also features iconic portraits of Princess Diana, taken for magazines Vanity Fair And Vogue. These images, known for their elegance and emotional depth, are exhibited alongside a companion photo of William and Kate, embracing and smiling for the prince’s 21st birthday.

Art and Photography: A Royal Modernity

Alessandro Nassini, curator of the exhibition, explains that the aim is to give the public a behind-the-scenes look at these iconic portraits and their creative process. According to him, royal portraits have always played a crucial role since the invention of photography. They allow the monarch to show himself in different facets, combining tradition and modernity.

Andy Warhol and the Sex Pistols

The exhibition also includes surprising works like Andy Warhol’s colorful print of Elizabeth II, based on Peter Grugeon’s original portrait of the queen. This 1985 work juxtaposes royal majesty with pop culture. Furthermore, the provocative cover of the Sex Pistols’ 1977 “God Save The Queen”, seen at the time as an attack on the monarchy, recalls the confrontation between respect and rebellion.

The Impact of Royal Portraits

Photography, as a medium, has the unique ability to retain the historical aura and function of a royal portrait while bringing the royal family into a contemporary era. This exhibition highlights the evolution of royal representation through the decades, reflecting both the stability and changes within the British monarchy.

A Journey to the Heart of Royal History

Walking through the rooms of the King’s Gallery, visitors are invited on an immersive journey through the visual history of the royal family. From the splendor of coronations to the intimate moments of everyday life, this exhibition offers a comprehensive and nuanced view of what it means to be royal throughout the ages.

Useful information

The exhibition “Royal portraits: a century of photography” is available to the public from May 24 to October 6, 2024. Tickets can be reserved online or purchased directly from Buckingham Palace. A must-visit for lovers of history, art and photography.

Cyril CH

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