King's first official portrait since the coronation

I think it’d be an excellent portrait without all the red. It just makes me think that the artist spilt a bit of paint as he was clearing away and tried to cover it up.

Whethertomorrow

The face and hair are good but it looks like he’s lying in a bath of red jelly with just his head sticking out!

Perhaps he was.

To me I think it makes the king look as if he's on fire.
The face and hands are excellent though.

I love it. It’s a striking, sensitive and accomplished depiction from Yeo. You have to have exceptional skills with the brush to get the right amount of texture into so large an area of one colour. In other hands it could have been a dog’s breakfast.

I think it's fantastic. Such a kind face. I love the butterly.

I love the depiction of the face but am not sure about the red background. It looks as though he's in the middle of a conflagration - but still with a reassuring smile!

Jaberwok

I think it's fantastic. Such a kind face. I love the butterly.

Me too!

I love it, a wonderful picture, KC has a kind face and this a very memorable painting, far away from the pomp and circumstance but keeping the dignity that goes with the role. The butterfly for hope
The red for flaming earth

vintage1950

I love the depiction of the face but am not sure about the red background. It looks as though he's in the middle of a conflagration - but still with a reassuring smile!

Maybe it is more metaphorical than we're being told.. I wouldn't put it past Charles...

Absolutely hideous!

“Maybe it is more metaphorical than we're being told.. I wouldn't put it past Charles...”

Wouldn’t it be the artist who decides the composition?

Pantglas2

“Maybe it is more metaphorical than we're being told.. I wouldn't put it past Charles...”

Wouldn’t it be the artist who decides the composition?

A portrait is often done in collaboration with the sitter, and in this case it is done by someone who is a friend of Charles. I'm sure they discussed it...

Like it too. Love the colour.

At least it looks like him. Some previous portraits of monarchs have been hideous. Not sure how much I like the red background but it’s different and has a contemporary feel. I don’t dislike it.

The face is excellent, but KC looks as if he is looking out from the fires of hell!😳

I really like it too.

Well it’s definitely a break from the traditional Royal family portraiture. I like the technical brilliance of his face but the butterfly is a bit too twee for me. I don’t mind the red but maybe not the most relaxing portrait to hang on the wall? Although it might be okay in a palace somewhere.

I keep going online to look at it again. I have so much respect for the artist and the way he’s managed the paint - it’s a stunning portrait.

Whethertomorrow

The face and hair are good but it looks like he’s lying in a bath of red jelly with just his head sticking out!

😂
Much what I thought too.

I'd love some insight as to why the artist chose the colour.
Not that I know the first thing about art.

I can't help thinking black, white and grey would have been better.

He looks on fire to me, afraid red for me conjures up thoughts of blood, massacre, fire, heat, temper and is all consuming of the lovely portrait
He’s either peeping through red theatre curtains or enveloped in hell poor chap
But
a beautiful portrait very well executed

The more I look at it the more I don't like it

It looks like someone did a wonderful portrait and then their 3 year old got at it with a tin of red paint

VioletSky

The more I look at it the more I don't like it

It looks like someone did a wonderful portrait and then their 3 year old got at it with a tin of red paint

You may be on to something there😂

VioletSky

The more I look at it the more I don't like it

It looks like someone did a wonderful portrait and then their 3 year old got at it with a tin of red paint

I think I agree, having not known what to think at first.

It's strange, so what was going on in the artist's mind?
Did Charles see it finished before the unveiling?

It's a pity that the Welsh Guards uniform wasn't shown properly; the ceremonial uniform is well-known and iconic.
It's a very disrespectful portrayal of that if nothing else.
I wonder what Simon Weston and other Welsh Guard veterans thins of it?

BlueBelle

He looks on fire to me, afraid red for me conjures up thoughts of blood, massacre, fire, heat, temper and is all consuming of the lovely portrait
He’s either peeping through red theatre curtains or enveloped in hell poor chap
But
a beautiful portrait very well executed

Perhaps he was thinking of the Sir Galahad?