Portait of Queen Elizabeth II by Pietro Annigoni
1950. Oil tempera on wood. 182.9 x 121.9 cms 72 x 47 ¾ ins. Public collection,
www.artrenewal.orgHere is an update on Pietro Annigoni and his portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
-
What’s notable: Pietro Annigoni is best known for his Renaissance-inspired portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, including the 1955 official portrait for the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and the 1969 National Portrait Gallery commission. These works helped popularize his reputation in Britain and the Commonwealth .
-
Recent coverage and context: Public discussion around Annigoni’s Elizabeth II portraits often centers on how his 1955 painting portrayed a youthful, idealized monarch, while the 1969 piece is described as stark and monumental, reflecting a more restrained and solitary royal image .
-
Availability and viewing: The 1955 Fishmongers portrait and the 1969 National Portrait Gallery portrait have appeared together in exhibitions, including the NPG’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee show, illustrating the evolution of Elizabeth II’s visual representation by Annigoni .
-
Additional notes: Annigoni’s approach used oil tempera in the Renaissance tradition, which distinguished his technique from contemporary modernist trends, a hallmark often mentioned in summaries of his Elizabeth II portraits .
If you’d like, I can look up the very latest articles or museum notes about any new acquisitions, exhibitions, or restorations related to Annigoni’s portraits and Queen Elizabeth II.