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This painting expresses an impression of queen Elizabeth that seems to be quite common. She appears not to be particularly intelligent or attractive, but loaded down with the crown of royalty. Isn't that a form of truth? The texture of paint is used to describe these qualities of the subject. Does anyone REALLY think this was meant to be flattering? I certainly do not think so. The artist's message is very different. One of my students put it best to me when she said,"Ms. Ellingwood, not everything about this world is beautiful or positive." Not every thing is positive in a monarchy! The big question may be, "What is realism?" Lucien Freud's portrait is about a different truth the the texture of her skin.
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