Art and Artifice

Archive 36 - Fall 2021

Prince Philip final portrait

THIS IS NOT THE PAINTING, JUST A REPRESENTATION (we don't have the rights to show the original), PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO THE ARTICLE TO SEE IMAGES OF THE ACTUAL ARTWORK

The painting is both a portrait and a documentary on Prince Philip, and the setting makes it seem somewhat ethereal, as if he is standing amid a hall of ghosts from the past.

"On first look, the portrait by Australian-British royal painter Ralph Heimans simply depicts the late Duke of Edinburgh in formal attire standing in a long corridor at Windsor Castle. The duke looks regal yet slightly hunched in posture, surrounded by fine art and busts.

Upon closer inspection, however, the portrait is saturated with hidden references to Philip's family, history, and heritage, and subtle threads that form the fabric of the duke's unique life. According to Heimans, who previously painted Prince Charles and the Queen, these details were intentional - the result of a collaborative effort between himself and Philip."

Article on the painting at MSN News

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John Berger's Ways of Seeing is a famous art instruction on seeing art through a new awareness of elements that get overlooked or are somehow obscure for the casual viewer. The book was first published in 1972 and based on the BBC television series. The Sunday Times critic commented: "This is an eye-opener in more ways than one: by concentrating on how we look at paintings . . . he will almost certainly change the way you look at pictures." AMAZON

"The Complete Watercolor Guide for Beginners: The Ultimate Course with Exercises and Step-by-Step Projects Perfect Even If You’re New to Watercolor" AMAZON

Original Page June 29, 2021