When we think of royalty captured on canvas, certain images spring to mind – regal poses, opulent settings, and a sense of enduring legacy. But what about the portraits that didn't quite land, or the ones that reveal a more human side to the monarch?
Take, for instance, Sir Thomas Lawrence's 1789 depiction of Queen Charlotte. At just 20 years old, Lawrence was already a prodigious talent, yet this particular royal commission, despite its brilliance, didn't quite win over the King or Queen themselves. It never even made it into the Royal Collection, remaining with Lawrence until his studio sale after his death. Painted at Windsor Castle, with the Chapel of Eton College visible in the distance, the portrait was created during a difficult time for the Queen. Her husband, King George III, was grappling with prolonged mental illness, and it's said she was in no mood for lengthy sittings. The single sitting on September 28th was likely the only one she granted him, a poignant reminder that even queens have their burdens.
Interestingly, this isn't the only notable portrait of Queen Charlotte. Benjamin West, another prominent artist, also captured her likeness in 1776, a piece rendered in the Rococo style. This oil on canvas, measuring a modest 50.25 x 40 cm, offers a different perspective, a snapshot from an earlier period. Then there's Thomas Gainsborough's 1781 portrait, also in the Rococo vein, which resides in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. Each artist, with their unique style and the circumstances surrounding the sittings, offers a distinct window into the Queen's presence.
Beyond the historical records, there's even a fictional exploration of Queen Charlotte's world. A film from 2025, "Leibniz: Chronik eines verschollenen Bildes," imagines the Queen commissioning a portrait of the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. As the sittings unfold, the narrative delves into a passionate exploration of art, love, and truth, suggesting that the act of creating a portrait can be as much about uncovering the sitter's essence as it is about the artist's skill.
These various artistic interpretations, from the historically significant to the imagined, remind us that a portrait is more than just a likeness. It's a collaboration, a reflection of the times, and often, a glimpse into the inner world of both the subject and the artist.
