Topline
A rarely-seen portrait of Queen Elizabeth by pop artist Andy Warhol will go on display next month – alongside portrayals of Britain’s other ruling queens – as part of a special Sotheby’s exhibit for the queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which marks her 70th year on the British throne.
This portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Andy Warhol will go on display next month in London to mark the ... [+]
Key Facts
The special exhibit will feature portraits of each of Britain’s seven queens regnant – who ruled in their own right, not as the wife of a king – including a 1985 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Andy Warhol on loan from a private collection that was based on a photograph taken in 1977 to commemorate her Silver Jubilee.
Another rare portrait that will be displayed is the world famous Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I from the private Woburn Abbey Collection, commissioned to celebrate the 1588 defeat of the Spanish Armada, widely considered to be one of the finest portraits of the Tudor queen.
Portraits for the other five queens – Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Queen Anne, Mary I and Mary II – have not been announced, but will be loaned from “aristocratic” and other distinguished British collections, Sotheby’s said.
Sotheby’s will also display a selection of aristocratic tiaras and jewelry, rare books, manuscripts and book bindings with royal provenance from both British royalty and from European ruling families, which includes a special copy of Elizabeth II’s Coronation Bible, which was used at her crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.
The exhibit will run from May 28 to June at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries in London, and include programming like special talks, debates and musical and drama performances centering around art and creativity and how the themes intersect with history and youth.
The Woburn Abbey Collection's Armada Portrait of Queen Elizbeth II will also be on display.
Big Number
96. That’s how old Elizabeth turns next week on her birthday, April 21, although her official royal birthday is celebrated in June with the annual Trooping the Colour military parade. Elizabeth became the longest reigning monarch in 2015 when she beat out the previous record holder, her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, who ruled for 63 years and 7 months.
Surprising Fact
Queen Elizabeth maintains what is believed to be the largest privately owned art collection in the world. The Royal Collection is made up of more than 1 million objects – including about 7,000 paintings – and is held within 14 royal palaces and castles and on loan to museums throughout the U.K., according to Guinness World Records. Some are owned by Elizabeth as an individual, while others are the property of the Crown, which includes work purchased by previous monarchs. Notable works in the collection include the Crown Jewels and artwork by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo.
Key Background
Elizabeth is the first British ruler to mark 70 years on the throne. The year-long Platinum Jubilee celebration will culminate this spring and summer with a variety of events across the U.K., including other special exhibits and programs at cultural institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and British Museum in London, concerts, parties, parades and even a dessert contest.
Further Reading
Queen Elizabeth Makes First Public Appearance In Months As She Pays Tribute To Prince Philip (Forbes)
