Critics Seem to Hate Kate Middleton's Official Portrait, Do You?
January 11, 2013
Royal News
Not everyone is in love with Kate Middleton’s first official portrait. Critics are likening it to a “giant Polaroid,” and the artist is defending his choice to paint the Duchess of Cambridge smiling.
PrinceofWales.gov.uk
While Middleton reportedly called the portrait “absolutely brilliant” and William thought it was “beautiful,” critics disagreed.
[Photo: Getty Images]
Waldemar Januszczak, Art Critic for The Sunday Times, described it as “pretty ordinary... He made her look older than she is and her eyes don't sparkle in the way that they do and there's something rather dour about the face.”
He added, “Seriously, as a concept, what is it? It’s like a giant Polaroid. Like she went into a photo booth and had that picture taken and blown up to a huge size it would look more or less the same, wouldn’t it?”
Daily Mail Art Critic Robin Simon agreed. She said, “Fortunately, the Duchess of Cambridge looks nothing like this in real life. I'm really sad to say this is a rotten portrait.”
Award-winning artist Paul Emsley said he wanted to capture Kate’s spirit and decided after meeting her to paint her with a smile. According to the Prince of Wales website, Emsley revealed, “The Duchess explained that she would like to be portrayed naturally -- her natural self -- as opposed to her official self.”
He added, “She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait, I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling -- that is really who she is.”
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The portrait of Kate Middleton, whoever did this portrait, it seems as if they tried not to make her as good looking as she actually is.
After reading other comments I had to go back and look at the picture again. I do agree with a lot of people on here when they say it makes her look older than she is. She also looks very tired. I like they way he did the smile, not everyone smiles with their teeth showing, so it's refreshing to see it this way.
I am tired, however, of those who always have to bring up Princess Diana. Leave that poor woman alone and let her rest in peace. She is dead and she is greatly missed BUT that doesn't mean she should be mentioned every time something happens with Prince William, Prince Harry or Duchess Catherine.
I guess as long as the Duke & Duchess are happy that's all that counts.
I like it and I don't like it. I love it because in some ways it's like not looking at a painting but looking at her. It's so life like. But then I don't like it because it's so dark and dreary. He could have lightened up the background or what she was wearing be a lighter color. I love the way it brings out her eyes. People are not happy with it because she's not smiling with her pearly whites showing but I think I like it the way it is. Not everyone smiles all the time with their teeth showing. Either way as long as the Duke & Duchess like it that's all that matters.
While the painting is lifelike. It does not capture the inner beauty of Kate. It is a good painting, but I expected excellence. Her real photo's are radiant and don't have to be touched up for this princess. The artist should have had her looking at her prince. The love she shows him would have reflected her inner beauty.
NO ONE could like this picture. Kate is probably being polite. And a black background with her coloring? Really? Not wonder she looks so washed out. She has a beautifuly smile but it looks like she is smirking. Wonder what was really going on with this photographer or if he was instructed to take the picture this way. I don't like criticizing artists, but come on!
Kate looks terrible, the portrait looks like she's in her 50's! I would request a do-over, with a different artist.
I want to comment why I don't like the portrait of Kate. I am a photographer and I know the challenge of capturing the essence of someone's persona. Althought it's beautifully done I don't think it captures her personality at all. It looks over photoshopped and not at all natural. She has such a warm and open personality that comes across in what I have seen. This is not a real representation for me.
Audrey
wow i really have to say this portrait is very unflattering of the princess.she looks much older then she is and it doesnt capture her true vibrancy or beauty.i think she should have it retaken.
WELL, " I AM A "HARSH" and "Judgemental" 55 Yr. Old "POOR DISABLED/HANDICAP "WHITE MAN" THAT LIVES ON A VERY FIXED INCOME "$/,000" A "YEAR""
SHE IS JUST "ANOTHER "PRETTY" FACE" , "RICH" FEMALE" THAT PROBADY THINK HER OWN "S" DOESN'T "SMELL BAD"
WELL, WHEN WILL, "Will" Have HER "KILLED" So He Can MOVE ON TOO "NEW/YOUNGER" girlie" Like father "CHARLES" DID With "LADY Dia" HAD HER KILLED SO HE COULD MOVE ON WITH HIS "ADDRAIREST""""
Portrait is of a "steely" Kate.
The Portrait of Kate Middleton is awful. She is so pretty and the picture does not do her justice.
The artist did a great job capturing the look of a young, pale and pregnant woman looking like she has morning sickness!
I think the portrait makes her look tired or ill.
This picture makes Kate look 50 years old. It does not capture her youth or vitality. She is a beautiful lady who beams life and hope to everyone but this picture makes her look old and dead. Sorry but I think they should have hired a younger artist who looks at her as a human being through a young eye not an old fart!
This is not Kate, not even close. Whose nose is that anyway ? Very hard edged and not the sweet face we see in every other photo of her. Maybe he was trying to age her as he would see her twenty years from now, but even then, he missed his mark. She is too gracious to state she does not like it.