A screenprint portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II by renowned artist Andy Warhol is now part of an exhibition in Edinburgh, highlighting the evolution of royal portrait photography. The exhibition, titled "Royal Portraits: A Century Of Photography," is currently being held at The King's Gallery within the Palace of Holyroodhouse and will continue until 7 September. Following its display at Buckingham Palace, the show features over 90 original vintage prints, proofs, and documents sourced from the Royal Collection and the Royal Archives.
The exhibition traces the history of royal photography from the 1920s up until the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, with many of the images being exhibited in Scotland for the first time. The collection includes portraits that commemorate significant birthdays, such as the "coming of age" photographs of Princess Anne, taken by Norman Parkinson in the gardens of Frogmore House to mark her 21st birthday in 1971.
Among the noteworthy pieces on display is the earliest surviving colour print of a royal family member, taken by pioneering photographer Madame Yevonde in 1935, which captures Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, on her wedding day. The exhibition also showcases iconic photographs by the celebrated Cecil Beaton, including original coronation portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, alongside a dramatic image taken by Julian Calder in 2010, portraying the Queen in the highlands of Balmoral, inspired by the depictions of clan chiefs.
Further highlights include a celebrated shoot of the Queen Mother taken in 1939, dressed in attire designed by Norman Hartnell, as well as intimate portraits of Princess Margaret captured by her husband, Lord Snowdon, which are featured in a dedicated section. A notable photograph from 1966 of a young Prince Charles, dressed in Balmoral tartan, was taken by Godfrey Argent to commemorate his 18th birthday.
The exhibition also spans later 20th century photography, showcasing pieces by notable fashion photographers such as David Bailey, Nick Knight, and Annie Leibovitz. The display culminates with the official coronation portraits of King Charles III, photographed by Hugo Burnand in May 2023. This comprehensive exhibition provides a detailed visual narrative of the royal family through the lens of some of the most prominent photographers of the last century.
Source: Noah Wire Services