Why did Queen Charlotte hate this portrait of herself? | Thomas Lawrence's 'Queen Charlotte'

Рет қаралды 102,237

Күн бұрын

Why did Queen Charlotte not like this portrait of herself?
Dear gentle reader, we note that Queen Charlotte despised this portrait of herself. As Bridgerton returns to our screens with season three, pray watch curator Jon King as he recounts the story behind this portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Perhaps, given Her Majesty’s sometimes ‘challenging’ disposition, one should not be surprised that this painting did not enter the Royal Collection, nor was the artist paid.
🎨 Find out more about the painting 'Queen Charlotte':
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🖌️ Find out more about the artist Thomas Lawrence:
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Пікірлер: 155

@Revelwoodie 29 күн бұрын

"Most perfect likeness!" You know what people LOVE? When you say you hate a picture of yourself, and they're all like, "But it looks just like you!"

@hiviolet007 29 күн бұрын

I think it is a compliment to Sir Thomas that the Queen didn’t take to the portrait. He has captured her sadness and stress of her situation at the time wonderfully and maybe she didn’t like it reflected back to her like a mirror.

@laureldrobits5924 29 күн бұрын

Poor woman looks absolutely exhausted.

@kelleycavan6911 22 күн бұрын

His ability to make the fabrics look translucent and flowing are incredible

@insomnio4119 29 күн бұрын

This was a fascinating talk with wonderful elocution. Many thanks to Jonathan and National Gallery.

@nationalgallery 29 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching!

@tomcat7525 29 күн бұрын

Having 15 children would give one a challenging disposition. 😆

@patrickfitzgerald2861 29 күн бұрын

A brood mare for a mentally ill king . . . sounds like hell on earth.

@sue.F 29 күн бұрын

She didn’t like the portrait because it made her look old, she was after all only 45 at the time of the sitting. The reflection of the lilac and grey dress fabric and the grey hair reflected badly on her skin tone imparting an unflattering sallow hue; little wonder she didn’t want to relinquish her bonnet. Queen Charlotte was sensitive about her looks, she didn’t correspond with the accepted standards of beauty at that time - being tall and willowy simply was not in fashion - plus her strong German accent placed her as something different. Such a shame, as I believe her a great beauty as can be seen in other portraits. I understand her dislike for this portrait no matter how technically correct or true to likeness.

@christianfrommuslim 29 күн бұрын

Lack of a hat could have been seen as making her republican rather than royal, and be seen as a threat at that time.

@patrickfitzgerald2861 29 күн бұрын

Only 45?!?!? By the time this portrait was completed she had already given birth to FIFTEEN children! Even for someone in such a privileged position, it's incredible that she managed to survive that, given the state of medical practices at the time. She must have had a robust physical constitution to stay alive until she was 74.

@kathyjohnson2043 29 күн бұрын

I agree that she looks old but I think a part of that is how we see white/gray hair today rather than the stylish shade it was at the time.

@nonameeeeEeno 27 күн бұрын

keep in mind that 45 was rather old at the time though!

@bill90405 22 күн бұрын

Being a 45 y/o mother of FIFTEEN, she was old beyond her years; she was in a bad place emotionally and did not want that recorded for posterity.

@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro 20 күн бұрын

And it’s so unfortunate, because by today’s standards, she looks incredible! She’s a very beautiful woman in all the pictures of her, but in her day, those same lovely features were considered ugly. Poor lady.

@HomeFromFarAway 15 күн бұрын

It's utterly cruel to commission someone's work and material and then refuse to compensate then in even the most basic way

@grokeffer6226 29 күн бұрын

He was exceptionally talented. That's a beautiful portrait.

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

We certainly think so!

@philreynolds2465 29 күн бұрын

I always enjoy knowing the background story to peices of art. I find it fascinating knowing the influences, setting, restrictions & symbolises of each peice of art. Which has been given so succinctly. Thank you

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

Really glad you enjoyed watching!

@kimmadden5408 28 күн бұрын

Saw this in person with my husband a few years ago on a trip to London. What struck us was the illusion of a skull in the bodice of her dress. I've never seen anyone else point this out. Are we the only ones who see the skull? Maybe a sneaky message of displeasure of the experience by the artist.😏

@rotterred991 29 күн бұрын

If she'd only had the opportunity to view Goya's portraits of Charles IV and family, she would've relaxed a bit, perhaps even posed for an odalisque!

@purkaitsurajit53 29 күн бұрын

Such brilliant explanation of timeless masterpieces is what endears us art lovers to The National Gallery!! Not only they have a stupendous collection of great masterpieces, but also detailed knowledge about the history, artistic quality and values of each of the 2500 artworks!!👏👏👍👍😍😍❤️❤️

@sportswriter 29 күн бұрын

A magnificent rendition of this mellow portrait of a queen. Cheers!

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

Thanks for your comment!

@k.jespersen6145 29 күн бұрын

It's possible that the queen didn't like the portrait in part because it pricks the pareidolia if seen first from a distance rather than close-up. Throughout this video, I could not stop double-taking at the apparent grinning skull suggested from the waist up. If the queen was already dealing with the spectre of her husband's future death, even a subconscious further reminder would have been wholly unwelcome.

@jayargonauts7428 18 күн бұрын

The X-ray photographic image was absolutely fascinating, and revealed a very strong resemblance to Queen Victoria.

@tina8508 29 күн бұрын

Well presented. The speaker is knowledgeable and has a pleasant demeanor.

@alisdraws 29 күн бұрын

the text messages were a nice touch hahaha

@christinepaige2575 25 күн бұрын

It is a lovely portrait, I think; there _is_ a hint of weariness in the queen’s wistful expression, but I don’t think that is unflattering. It adds a subtle poignancy.

@thanitsir 27 күн бұрын

The presentation was professional, calm and informative. The text message was amusing and witty. I learned more about the art of portraiture and really enjoyed it. Please keep making more!. Thank you.

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@kathleenandrews8171 26 күн бұрын

From a distance it looks like there's a skull on her bodice. Anybody else see that? I'm not saying it was deliberate or anything, but maybe she noticed it & it creeped her out.

@charlotteillustration5778 29 күн бұрын

An extremely interesting and thought provoking piece, though I do wish that they had got the presenter to talk to the camera, rather than to one side.

@Jean.Philippe. 20 күн бұрын

This story reminded me of the equestrian portrait of the queen of Spain Marie Louise of Parma painted by Goya: she loved Goya and his style and was very fond of the portraits of her painted by Goya but when she saw her equestrian portrait (twin with a equestrian portrait of her husband, Charles IV) hated it because she didn't like the way she looked. She basically told Goya he had made her ugly (and she was ugly indeed).

@judyodonoghue7715 12 күн бұрын

45 was old at that time, she looks beautiful for her age and the painting is indeed a master piece.

@ruadhscottygirl2480 29 күн бұрын

The unneeded inclusion of the modern keyboard typing conversations was extremely annoying. It greatly took away from the excellence of the subject matter and the presenter, who spoke in a clear and well-thought out manner.

@that_thing_I_do 29 күн бұрын

Because she looks 76 instead of 46? I'd be miffed, too.

@mjas5452 24 күн бұрын

She seems to have issues with her thyroid. If you look at the X-ray, she may of had thyroid issues since her eyes seem to be bulging. Having that many children would cause havoc on her thyroid. Her other portraits have heavy fabrics and elaborate design, where here, she is seen more simple and just in plain clothes for the era. They usually never stayed long as they had stand ins.. so she might of just given him enough time to draw out the face and the rest was on him. As usual they touch up the features so they look better but I think she was disappointed as he painted her as close to her likeness as possible and she wanted an Instagram filter done in a hot dress, kick ass wig and awesome jewels. Here she is simple and just naturally soft with a normal dress.

@akaginny7516 8 күн бұрын

I think she really favors her oldest son in this portrait. I think it is lovely

@michaelgask 29 күн бұрын

Thank you for this fascinating discussion of the painting and the story behind its creation. Really enjoyed how this was presented.

@garywait3231 24 күн бұрын

An excellent presentation of this sensitive portrait and its reception by the sitter -- one which I enjoyed viewing years ago at the N.G.

@nationalgallery 23 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@adelaferreira4575 13 күн бұрын

The painting is a work of art,it shows the skilled painter ,I think is just beautiful !

@gavinflorence9416 12 күн бұрын

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this history!! I had no idea. Sir Thomas Lawrence a national Treasure!

@jmitch5161 28 күн бұрын

I love it. Very interesting. Not sure we needed text messages to help us understand a possible communication though!

@joannmay-anthony1076 29 күн бұрын

I wouldn't have noticed this picture as Queen Charlotte as opposed to others.

@indigenousserpant7779 19 күн бұрын

I can One Hundred percent see why she thought it was a failure. It makes her look old, somewhat scared, unsure, and in such a state that she looks dull and worn out! Certainly not the way a Queen should be Portrayed!

@Pola_B_Alex_Art 24 күн бұрын

Thank you for posting! ❤❤❤

@nationalgallery 23 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

@biglittlelight2222 23 күн бұрын

Ty for this! I was just studying the new King Charles portrait by Johnathan Yoe! Crazy! I’m in LOVE WITH THIS! So grateful! Thoughts on the new King Charles Portrait?! Love to read it! THIS SHOULD BE A SERIES… royal portrait rejects! Anyone else??? 👏👏👏

@ginacrusco234 9 күн бұрын

What a clear, concise, insightful talk! I enjoyed it immensely.

@nationalgallery 5 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@carolynwright2132 17 күн бұрын

If the x-ray pics was the real face the Artist did a fantastic job gave her a chin and correct jawline, after 15 children you wouldn't look so shinny n wafty n glossy,beautiful art.

@nautilusshell4969 28 күн бұрын

'Baldacchino'. - prounounced bahl-dak-ee-no. I always loved this portrait, however she felt about it!

@mojosbigsticks 29 күн бұрын

Her foot follows you around the room.

@robynmarler1951 25 күн бұрын

😂

@carinwiseman4309 21 күн бұрын

After all, a portrait is all about your face, not about your dress. We all have issues with our looks. I am an artist who paints some portraits from life. I can tell you that is is almost impossible to get people to sit or sit still for the endeavor, unless you are famous or they are being paid. I personally think his portrayal of Charlotte is very flattering to her, delicate, sensitive, and human....unlike some of the others.

@asztapaszta9 29 күн бұрын

That was very interesting, thank you for sharing!

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@biglittlelight2222 23 күн бұрын

I think she’s stunning 🤩 Love from New Orleans! 😊

@Abuamina001 29 күн бұрын

Kudos. Charming.

@user-wk1mw9nj3i76 12 күн бұрын

Excellent. Actually learned something about the painting. Well done, presenter.

@kumaridesilva3992 23 күн бұрын

Interesting presentation, thank you

@Jameson_Visual_Arts_Studios 27 күн бұрын

“Yes but why is there A SKULL on her chest?!” -Mark Mallman wrote on TikTok Wow. Just Wow. Mark saw the skull dress on TikTok, and commented there, and I can’t unsee it now. I joked that “😆Clearly, Queen Charlotte was Frank Castle’s inspiration to become Marvel Comic’s gritty anti-hero known as The Punisher!”(Who also wears a large skull symbol on the chest of his anti-hero outfit.). What’s the real story here, though? Is this like a more direct representation of death/mortality of the sitter/viewer than Holbein’s anamorphic perspective skull in his 1533 painting of The Ambassadors? Fascinating stuff. I know the skull we see is comprised of the painted dress elements/adornments, but it really looks like a skull when viewed from a distance! A YT post on this would be fantastic! ❤️☠️➕🤖 Cheers- Jameson

@michaeldarby3503 28 күн бұрын

I spent 9 minutes thinking she was wearing a wristwatch

@bomaracev 26 күн бұрын

What a great video!

@georginashanti4605 27 күн бұрын

Great video, thank you

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

Our pleasure, thank you for watching

@santiagofernandez880 28 күн бұрын

Awesome video. 👍

@watchmedo635 29 күн бұрын

Wonderful presentation, I learned a lot! And the text messages were very funny too :)

@nationalgallery 25 күн бұрын

We're so pleased to hear it

@nahannilove 16 күн бұрын

Lovely presentation.. I’ll be there this fall and can’t wait to witness in person. I wondered if in the radio graph her hair was also adjusted or re-painted? It appears to look like it’s just sitting on her head and not hers to me,, which is so curious because of his talent it doesn’t fit?!? 🤓

@buffalochic1974 27 күн бұрын

I think it's a very beautiful portrait.

@jontalbot1 28 күн бұрын

What could have been mentioned is caprice. People used to command are not usually reflective and can become extremely arbitrary. In other words, the reason she did not like it is at least in part because she felt under no obligation to do so. She is the Queen, the artist is a commoner, she can do as she damn well pleases.

@user-bl5yi4uw6j 28 күн бұрын

A great artist. I love his portraits of Peniston Lamb.

@nunyabiznez3854 25 күн бұрын

Hey guy, we're over here! Very interesting and informative vid, but when you're chatting to us but looking at a different camera it's very distracting.

@stacyjpoliticscommunityfai359 15 күн бұрын

Her most popular royal painting that was completed by Ramsey she never made a negative comment. Ramsey who is the same painter that completed Dido Belle's photo along with her cousin. Ramsay was a very well sought after painter and he's always been the favorite of the royals. I believe that she didn't like the painting because it didn't depict her true esthetics. I'm a business owner my own self and it's a very strong statement when a client makes a fair assessment of your work and their lack of displeasure for the final result and they choose to no pay for the product because it fails to live up to the quality they expected. If both the King and the Queen didn't pay for the work? There was definitely a problem.

@janeteholmes 27 күн бұрын

The side camera position is thoroughly distracting. What is it meant for?

@markshrimpton3138 16 күн бұрын

I’ve noticed it seems to be a favoured way of presenting these days. I find it off-putting, as though the presenter is ignoring the viewers.

@maryloumawson6006 5 күн бұрын

Well, I like the portrait. If King George III's only objection was the missing hat, why couldn't Lawrence have painted one in? However, much I like the figure of Charlotte, and appreciate how Lawrence captures her likeness and wistful expression, I think the drapery and shadow over her head casts a pall over the painting that gives her a sad, regretful aspect. Almost as if her future is doubtful, or at risk. The muted color palette does not promote a regal or indeed rosy prospect that a queen would wish to project. My goodness! Couldn't he have conjured some sunshine? In that light, the poor queen looks positively ghostly!

@Beruthiel45 29 күн бұрын

I wonder what was the English concept of beauty at the time? If this was considered to be a great likeness then the Queen was a beautiful woman by any standards. Such a shame she did not realise her charm.

@Satu-zs7gm 25 күн бұрын

Emma Lady Hamilton, Mrs Graham gainsborough, etc

@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro 20 күн бұрын

The English of the time much preferred very small features at the time. Tiny lips, tiny stature, tiny hands and feet, tiny everything. Only eyes, it seemed, were allowed to be big. Today, we find people of these characteristics to look bug eyed, and women as statuesque as queen charlotte to be stunning. It is interesting to see how drastically beauty standards have changed over the years.

@cuttwice3905 12 күн бұрын

I am partial to the Benjamin West's 1776 portrait. It was touched up to hide how worried she was about her husband's well being.

@YoshiMario69 28 күн бұрын

Okay, no, the texting conversation is totally unnecessary wtf. Otherwise I LOVED the information and the speaker is awesome.

@homszerrudo1025 18 күн бұрын

Was it her depiction as a woman captured with all vulnerability of an individual undergoing all the vicissitudes of her circumstances that made it unappealing to a queen - a figure of power in her eyes and estimation?

@chuckspoke 16 күн бұрын

In the words of college dean, good creme will always rise to the top. If you have the talent, it will speak for you and no one can hinder your success.

@christianfrommuslim 29 күн бұрын

Excellent information perfectly presented. To us, the painting is excellent. Yes, we need to understand the censure in the light of the times. Perhaps the disapproval really was tied to the hat? The king's disapproval could have stemmed from fear that a hatless queen would reflect the anti-royalist sentiments of the French. Having recently lost the American colonies the threat could have been seen as real. There was such fear that revolution would jump the channel to England.

@michaeljohnangel6359 14 күн бұрын

Everybody hates their portrait-thanks for pointing out the analogy between painted portraits and photos. I'm a huge fan of Lawrence's portraits, but this one is pretty bad: the little doll-like sitter floats around in a large space. It is also obvious that the body and clothing were painted from a manequin. All portrait painters did/do this-the sitter won't be present while you paint the clothing-but Lawrence usually hides this successfully, by playing up the gestural flow.

@dinola3268 29 күн бұрын

Charlotte ist nicht die einzige. Hat nicht Winston oder seine Frau ein Bildnis zerstört?

@LilBrownieD 12 күн бұрын

Oh wow, i first saw the skull subconsciously until comments pointed out for real. 👀 very creepy

@rosebroady6618 15 күн бұрын

It's a portrait of a tired careworn woman whos holding it together by a thread. Lawrence got past the regal and I think that may have been the reason she didn't like it... he saw too much

@hiwakoo 29 күн бұрын

I think she disliked it, because she apears to be melancholic, nearly crying.

@greensage395 24 күн бұрын

It was likely her hair...it looks old and frazzled.

@orsino88 29 күн бұрын

That is not how “chagrin” is pronounced in English or in French.

@paperkay 20 күн бұрын

As a portrait/fashion photographer, if I got a penny for every time I heard "Oh, I look terrible!" / "Oh, I hate it!" / "Oh, I'm so ugly!" from a sitter, I'd be retired by now.

@korneyhebi5287 26 күн бұрын

Lawrence captured her vulnerability and her uncertainty about the future due to her husbands illness which is probably what she didn’t like. In the portraits by other painters she appears regal and in control as in her mind queens should be. Lawrence always finds the humanity in his subjects no matter what their status is and how hard they try to hide it and there lies his brilliance and comparisons to Van Dyck

@roringusanda2837 23 күн бұрын

💀 shes secretly The Punisher

@demetrapetrou8527 12 күн бұрын

🐝

@barrymoore4470 29 күн бұрын

The anachronistic albeit witty employment of modern methods of electronic communication to convey the sentiments shared between the historical figures here could be problematic for some young viewers, who may not understand that this technology did not exist at the time of the events described.

@LewisCressey 29 күн бұрын

I don't see how my appreciation of a painting is enhanced by the addition of simulated web searches and text messaging.

@annwilliams6438 24 күн бұрын

She looks so sad.

@cherylschantz9893 22 күн бұрын

He sent a portrait, hated by the Queen, to be exhibited. Sounds like he was pretty full of himself.

@shelleyphilcox4743 23 күн бұрын

I think she looks sad and tired.

@janedough6575 25 күн бұрын

Pale and thin, fifteen kids will do that to you 🫤

@RedcoatsReturn 22 күн бұрын

Too much of her white hair….Lawrence should had do a little flattery painting 😔 The Gainsborough portrait was the much better than Lawrence‘s portrait of Queen Charlotte 🎨 😊👍👍

@charleshamilton9274 29 күн бұрын

Fifteen children. Never has the epithet “breeder” been more apt.

@HLDCO 27 күн бұрын

Saying "click here" and "here" is not accessible. People unable to see the screen would have no idea where to click. Plus "click" is mouse-centered language as many are unable to use a mouse. It's best to say something like, "select the link labeled [link name] to learn more about [subject]".

@kyleanuar9090 28 күн бұрын

So she's not black?

@helene4397 23 күн бұрын

Of course not. That possible moor ancestry is from 500 before her birth.

@annemurphy9339 23 күн бұрын

Of course not.

@kittymervine6115 17 күн бұрын

also, many citizens blamed HER for her husband's mental illness, since by having so many children it was obvious that she and the king had marital relations on a regular basis. It was felt that was dangerous for any man, to just sleep with ONE woman. So, it was her fault...

@dalestaley5637 13 күн бұрын

It washes her out.

@kittymervine6115 17 күн бұрын

Is it true that most portraits had to leave out small pox scars. Lots of them?

@brrryan2908 29 күн бұрын

Blur your eyes while looking at her breast. See a skull? It's a far better painting than I'll ever create. :) Thank you for the art history story.

@bonniemcgp 24 күн бұрын

This video is not loud enough!

@BertieWooster13 22 күн бұрын

WHAT ABOUT THE SKULL HER BODICE MAKES!!!

@sandrahudson9901 23 күн бұрын

And that’s why she doesn’t like the portrait! It doesn’t look like who she is!

@silla.1902 25 күн бұрын

People can't paint like this anymore. They've lost the skills.

@magesalmanac6424 20 күн бұрын

That’s not true at all and you should do more research before posting. This style may not be popular anymore but it still exists.

@markshrimpton3138 16 күн бұрын

That’s simply not the case.

@poodle_soup211 11 күн бұрын

Perhaps if there was more of a color hue in her clothing, she might have seen herself more in a better attitude?

@bonniemagpie9960 10 күн бұрын

I think it looks very French.

@gregorymost4906 28 күн бұрын

The fake text messages are distracting from the discussion of the issues relating to the commission of the painting.

@janeknight3597 29 күн бұрын

What on earth sort of bonnet was she supposed to wear?