Aussie Queen

Here's a catchy title, cobber: The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (2012). This painting by Australian-born, London-based, artist Ralph Heimans was unveiled last Friday at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Australia, and will remain on display as the highlight of a Diamond Jubilee exhibition until next March. It is the most imaginative and expressive portrait of Her Majesty I've seen. She stands in reflective mood on the exact spot where she swore her Coronation Oath, gazing down at the recently restored Cosmati pavement. Her position to the left of frame with the vista between cheerfully lit choir stalls behind her evokes the 60 years of her reign (CLICK). It makes a welcome change from the usual painted portraits of Her Majesty sitting in a chair looking bored.