Royal portraiture

Grethe Angen · 02-06-2007, 07:17 PM

Hello ,

I have been reading interesting topics about various styles of portraiture, and would like to post a link to the official portrait of HM King Harald and HM Queen Sonja of Norway.

Thought it would be interesting to see what actually could be accepted as Presidential portraiture.

I did`t do it, though.

Grethe

http://www.hakon-gullvag.no/eng/port...hp?galleri=vis

Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco · 02-07-2007, 05:40 AM

Well done Grethe for posting such an interesting approach to portraits. These for me are perfectly regal and contemporary portraits, I specially liked the less official painting of the king reading.

When a painter has so deep roots into classical painting (Chardin is one of my favourites too), the results can't just go astray, I mean that his paintings have the solidity of a master with all the frightening speed of modern times thrown into also.

Thank you for this link that I immediately included in my favourits list.
Ilaria

Grethe Angen · 02-07-2007, 06:13 AM

Illaria,
thank you for responding. first I`d like to apologize for the laughing icon, it was not meant to be there. if there is a way to delete it I would like to do so.

I have a few questions to those who would be interested to discuss it.
Is this an example of an artist that paint portraits, rather than a portrait-artist? Is there at all a difference to those terms?

Grethe

Cynthia Daniel · 02-07-2007, 09:45 AM

Grethe,

Didn't you mean to post this in the presidential portraiture thread?

Michele Rushworth · 02-07-2007, 10:44 AM

My goodness, these are certainly different from what would be appealing to most clients here! They are energetic and colorful but too brave for any of the portrait agencies or official portrait clients that I know of in the U.S.

Grethe Angen · 02-07-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthia Daniel

Grethe,

Didn't you mean to post this in the presidential portraiture thread?

Cynthia,
I thought about it, but then I thought maybe this was the place to start a discussion, maybe. I am a newbie so please guide me.
Michele,
I think not only in the US.I believe it is rather a rare phenomenon that highly profiled persons just accept to be rendered almost like zombies.

Garth Herrick · 02-07-2007, 05:01 PM

Wow, these are really interesting, Grethe!

I like their straightforward forcefulness. Also how the floor, wall and face are in textured concert with the plethora of military decorations displayed. Here in America, I fear an artist might be burned at the stake for a similarly inspired effigy of President Bush, but I could easily be wrong. People are afraid to speak forthrightly here.

Thanks for this awakening breath of fresh air!

Garth

Mike McCarty · 02-07-2007, 07:07 PM

I am curious to know whether these of the King and Queen are "authorized" portraits.

If you knowingly place yourself in front of a painter that demonstrates this style then all is well. Except for the thought that these notable figures are creating portraits for the people, for the public, not just for themselves. It's a little like a state of the union address. These look like the state of the union is a bit chaotic.

Well I see now that you state that these are the official portraits.

David Draime · 02-07-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grethe Angen

I think not only in the US.I believe it is rather a rare phenomenon that highly profiled persons just accept to be rendered almost like zombies.

Actually my first thought was "Dawn of the Dead." They look like something one might see on a B-grade horror movie poster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

People are afraid to speak forthrightly here.
Garth

If I may be so bold....whatever merit lies in the way the figures are rendered (if there is any) - the paint handling itself, - it is completely undercut and invalidated by the random, abstract marks that fill the background; mark-making that, to me, seems arbitrary, self-indulgent, lazy, signifying nothing....it's as if the painting wants to be representational and abstract at the same time, causing it to fail on both counts. And I'm not judging this from some kind of reactionary, anti-modernist, classical realist perspective: I would much prefer to see an entirely abstract painting by this artist - it would, no doubt, be more intriguing, (more consistent at least). And, conversely, if this artist were to really explore how this particular mark-making can render form - a worthwhile endeavor. But, as they are - speaking forthrightly - I find these paintings really....lame. And the fact that they are official portraits of royalty....well...

Is it just me...?

Grethe Angen · 02-07-2007, 08:09 PM

Hi all,

This is the "number one" portrait painter in this country. Hakon Gullvag has painted most of our official portraits,besides the King and Queen, all the portraits on his site are of well known persons such as actors, authors, musicians, professors etc. He is very well known and accepted in a wide range.

I agree to a certain point that his artistic approach is interesting, but when it comes too official portraiture I have a hard time to accept.
None of his portraits were ever rejected, as far as I know. Or in case , it would be a very well kept secret. He usually are on the news headlines whenever a new portrait is unveiled. And the critics usually very positive.

The Kings portrait hangs in Oslo City Hall, where the reception of all foreign official visitors are held.