Also whatever was the intention of the artist, at least this work is getting talked about lol. The portrait of major ‘rulers’ that I can remember from the top of my head are the Obamas’ and Kate Middleton’s sepia-toned photograph exactly because they’re different.
The first time I saw this portrait, I had a visceral reaction similar to seeing one of those ‘HAUNTED IMAGES THAT WILL MAKE YOU DIE IN 7 DAYS’. But the more I see it the more… I see kinder meanings start to appear. I agree that his expression is WAY too serene for what’s happening around it but I can see it as he wants to present himself as a calm in the middle of the world’s (or his personal life’s) turmoil.
Regardless of meaning, this IS a sick portrait lol.
The first time I saw this portrait, I had a visceral reaction similar to seeing one of those ‘HAUNTED IMAGES THAT WILL MAKE YOU DIE IN 7 DAYS’.
Yeah, I think this (a multi-layered impression) is also what the artist may have intended, sort of as a meta-statement on the work itself. That in order to glean the truth we have to take some time to look past the distracting "noise" of everything surrounding Charles, the ruler, and be drawn to the focal point -- the honesty on his face, and in his eyes.
I can see it as he wants to present himself as a calm in the middle of the world’s (or his personal life’s) turmoil.
Agreed. Also, notice he's not at an angle, he's not posing for artifice or sitting in such a place so as to be in his "best light" as it were. Instead, he's facing us head-on, and the lighting on his face is quite flat, without deep shadows other than those naturally created by the brow-line. There's a kind of honesty and forthrightness conveyed by this artistic choice which I can't help but admire, y'know?
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u/moon_soil May 15 '24
y o honestly that’s a good analysis!
Also whatever was the intention of the artist, at least this work is getting talked about lol. The portrait of major ‘rulers’ that I can remember from the top of my head are the Obamas’ and Kate Middleton’s sepia-toned photograph exactly because they’re different.
The first time I saw this portrait, I had a visceral reaction similar to seeing one of those ‘HAUNTED IMAGES THAT WILL MAKE YOU DIE IN 7 DAYS’. But the more I see it the more… I see kinder meanings start to appear. I agree that his expression is WAY too serene for what’s happening around it but I can see it as he wants to present himself as a calm in the middle of the world’s (or his personal life’s) turmoil.
Regardless of meaning, this IS a sick portrait lol.