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My first reaction when I saw the portrait of Elisabeth was a little smile, because I found it kind of humorous. She sort of looks as though she was having a bad day, or as if Freud and she really didn't get along. But then again they probably did, or she would have thrown him out before finishing 70 sittings.
I do admire Freud's work, though he has made many other paintings that I like better than this one. Reading through this thread I am amazed that so many people are so very appalled by his work.
I like the way Frfeud's portraits are exaggerated almost like caricatures. I could not paint like that if you hit me and I am not sure that I would want to, either. But I find his paintings very powerful. I truly admire his stubborn and daring way of setting his nudes up in poses no one ever would have thought of. Okay, the models do not look beautiful in his paintings. But wow, how skillfully he paints them! YES, I would like a painting of his! !
The portrait of the queen makes me think of the paintings of Frans Hals. He, too, painted people in unflattering ways. And that makes them very interesting. Looking at Frans Hals's paintings, or some of Velasques's that are also very unflattering, my thoughts go off about what mood that person might have been in or weather that person was normally a sour nag.
The incredible detail Freud used to paint the crown contrasts with the style of the face, and I am sure Freud didn't paint it like that by hazard. Maybe he wants to say something about her role (as a royalty) being so grandiose that it blinds us from seeing the person she really is, privately? She looks tired and maybe bored, yet strong-willed and disciplined, jaws tensed. The way that she holds her head quite high for such an old person, yet does not meet our eyes, gives me the impression of someone who wants to keep the distance; wants to keep herself to herself.
I think Lucian Freud's portrait ot queen Elisabeth is interesting, though not as great as many of Freud's other paintings. Then again, making something out of a painting that is restricted to the head only IS difficult.
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