Why did Queen Charlotte hate this portrait of herself? | Thomas Lawrence's 'Queen Charlotte'

Why did Queen Charlotte not like this portrait of herself?
Dear gentle reader, we note that Queen Charlotte despised this portrait of herself. As Bridgerton returns to our screens with season three, pray watch curator Jon King as he recounts the story behind this portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Perhaps, given Her Majesty’s sometimes ‘challenging’ disposition, one should not be surprised that this painting did not enter the Royal Collection, nor was the artist paid.
🎨 Find out more about the painting 'Queen Charlotte':
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/pa...
🖌️ Find out more about the artist Thomas Lawrence:
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[@Revelwoodie]

"Most perfect likeness!" You know what people LOVE? When you say you hate a picture of yourself, and they're all like, "But it looks just like you!"

[@kelleycavan6911]

His ability to make the fabrics look translucent and flowing are incredible

[@laureldrobits5924]

Poor woman looks absolutely exhausted.

[@hiviolet007]

I think it is a compliment to Sir Thomas that the Queen didn’t take to the portrait. He has captured her sadness and stress of her situation at the time wonderfully and maybe she didn’t like it reflected back to her like a mirror.

[@bill90405]

Being a 45 y/o mother of FIFTEEN, she was old beyond her years; she was in a bad place emotionally and did not want that recorded for posterity.

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

And it’s so unfortunate, because by today’s standards, she looks incredible! She’s a very beautiful woman in all the pictures of her, but in her day, those same lovely features were considered ugly. Poor lady.

[@HomeFromFarAway]

It's utterly cruel to commission someone's work and material and then refuse to compensate then in even the most basic way

[@insomnio4119]

This was a fascinating talk with wonderful elocution. Many thanks to Jonathan and National Gallery.

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching!

[@tomcat7525]

Having 15 children would give one a challenging disposition. 😆

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

A brood mare for a mentally ill king . . . sounds like hell on earth.

[@sue.F]

She didn’t like the portrait because it made her look old, she was after all only 45 at the time of the sitting. The reflection of the lilac and grey dress fabric and the grey hair reflected badly on her skin tone imparting an unflattering sallow hue; little wonder she didn’t want to relinquish her bonnet. Queen Charlotte was sensitive about her looks, she didn’t correspond with the accepted standards of beauty at that time - being tall and willowy simply was not in fashion - plus her strong German accent placed her as something different. Such a shame, as I believe her a great beauty as can be seen in other portraits. I understand her dislike for this portrait no matter how technically correct or true to likeness.

[@christianfrommuslim]

Lack of a hat could have been seen as making her republican rather than royal, and be seen as a threat at that time.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Only 45?!?!? By the time this portrait was completed she had already given birth to FIFTEEN children! Even for someone in such a privileged position, it's incredible that she managed to survive that, given the state of medical practices at the time. She must have had a robust physical constitution to stay alive until she was 74.

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I agree that she looks old but I think a part of that is how we see white/gray hair today rather than the stylish shade it was at the time.

[@nonameeeeEeno]

keep in mind that 45 was rather old at the time though!

[@philreynolds2465]

I always enjoy knowing the background story to peices of art. I find it fascinating knowing the influences, setting, restrictions & symbolises of each peice of art. Which has been given so succinctly. Thank you

[@nationalgallery]

Really glad you enjoyed watching!

[@kimmadden5408]

Saw this in person with my husband a few years ago on a trip to London. What struck us was the illusion of a skull in the bodice of her dress. I've never seen anyone else point this out. Are we the only ones who see the skull? Maybe a sneaky message of displeasure of the experience by the artist.😏

[@purkaitsurajit53]

Such brilliant explanation of timeless masterpieces is what endears us art lovers to The National Gallery!! Not only they have a stupendous collection of great masterpieces, but also detailed knowledge about the history, artistic quality and values of each of the 2500 artworks!!👏👏👍👍😍😍❤️❤️

[@christinepaige2575]

It is a lovely portrait, I think; there _is_ a hint of weariness in the queen’s wistful expression, but I don’t think that is unflattering. It adds a subtle poignancy.

[@rotterred991]

If she'd only had the opportunity to view Goya's portraits of Charles IV and family, she would've relaxed a bit, perhaps even posed for an odalisque!

[@grokeffer6226]

He was exceptionally talented. That's a beautiful portrait.

[@nationalgallery]

We certainly think so!

[@sportswriter]

A magnificent rendition of this mellow portrait of a queen. Cheers!

[@nationalgallery]

Thanks for your comment!

[@alisdraws]

the text messages were a nice touch hahaha

[@tina8508]

Well presented. The speaker is knowledgeable and has a pleasant demeanor.

[@kathleenandrews8171]

From a distance it looks like there's a skull on her bodice. Anybody else see that? I'm not saying it was deliberate or anything, but maybe she noticed it & it creeped her out.

[@k.jespersen6145]

It's possible that the queen didn't like the portrait in part because it pricks the pareidolia if seen first from a distance rather than close-up. Throughout this video, I could not stop double-taking at the apparent grinning skull suggested from the waist up. If the queen was already dealing with the spectre of her husband's future death, even a subconscious further reminder would have been wholly unwelcome.

[@thanitsir]

The presentation was professional, calm and informative. The text message was amusing and witty. I learned more about the art of portraiture and really enjoyed it. Please keep making more!. Thank you.

[@nationalgallery]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlotteillustration5778]

An extremely interesting and thought provoking piece, though I do wish that they had got the presenter to talk to the camera, rather than to one side.

[@jayargonauts7428]

The X-ray photographic image was absolutely fascinating, and revealed a very strong resemblance to Queen Victoria.

[@that_thing_I_do]

Because she looks 76 instead of 46? I'd be miffed, too.

[@ginacrusco234]

What a clear, concise, insightful talk! I enjoyed it immensely.

[@michaelgask]

Thank you for this fascinating discussion of the painting and the story behind its creation. Really enjoyed how this was presented.

[@gavinflorence9416]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this history!! I had no idea. Sir Thomas Lawrence a national Treasure!

[@judyodonoghue7715]

45 was old at that time, she looks beautiful for her age and the painting is indeed a master piece.

[@paperkay]

As a portrait/fashion photographer, if I got a penny for every time I heard "Oh, I look terrible!" / "Oh, I hate it!" / "Oh, I'm so ugly!" from a sitter, I'd be retired by now.

[@garywait3231]

An excellent presentation of this sensitive portrait and its reception by the sitter -- one which I enjoyed viewing years ago at the N.G.

[@nationalgallery]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@adelaferreira4575]

The painting is a work of art,it shows the skilled painter ,I think is just beautiful !

[@mjas5452]

She seems to have issues with her thyroid. If you look at the X-ray, she may of had thyroid issues since her eyes seem to be bulging. Having that many children would cause havoc on her thyroid. Her other portraits have heavy fabrics and elaborate design, where here, she is seen more simple and just in plain clothes for the era. They usually never stayed long as they had stand ins.. so she might of just given him enough time to draw out the face and the rest was on him. As usual they touch up the features so they look better but I think she was disappointed as he painted her as close to her likeness as possible and she wanted an Instagram filter done in a hot dress, kick ass wig and awesome jewels. Here she is simple and just naturally soft with a normal dress.

[@Pola_B_Alex_Art]

Thank you for posting! ❤❤❤

[@nationalgallery]

You are so welcome!

[@jmitch5161]

I love it. Very interesting. Not sure we needed text messages to help us understand a possible communication though!

[@indigenousserpant7779]

I can One Hundred percent see why she thought it was a failure. It makes her look old, somewhat scared, unsure, and in such a state that she looks dull and worn out! Certainly not the way a Queen should be Portrayed!

[@asztapaszta9]

That was very interesting, thank you for sharing!

[@nationalgallery]

Thanks for watching!

[@biglittlelight2222]

I think she’s stunning 🤩 Love from New Orleans! 😊

[@Jean.Philippe.]

This story reminded me of the equestrian portrait of the queen of Spain Marie Louise of Parma painted by Goya: she loved Goya and his style and was very fond of the portraits of her painted by Goya but when she saw her equestrian portrait (twin with a equestrian portrait of her husband, Charles IV) hated it because she didn't like the way she looked. She basically told Goya he had made her ugly (and she was ugly indeed).

[@kumaridesilva3992]

Interesting presentation, thank you

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

Excellent. Actually learned something about the painting. Well done, presenter.

[@Abuamina001]

Kudos. Charming.

[@ruadhscottygirl2480]

The unneeded inclusion of the modern keyboard typing conversations was extremely annoying. It greatly took away from the excellence of the subject matter and the presenter, who spoke in a clear and well-thought out manner.

[@carinwiseman4309]

After all, a portrait is all about your face, not about your dress. We all have issues with our looks. I am an artist who paints some portraits from life. I can tell you that is is almost impossible to get people to sit or sit still for the endeavor, unless you are famous or they are being paid. I personally think his portrayal of Charlotte is very flattering to her, delicate, sensitive, and human....unlike some of the others.

[@biglittlelight2222]

Ty for this! I was just studying the new King Charles portrait by Johnathan Yoe! Crazy! I’m in LOVE WITH THIS! So grateful! Thoughts on the new King Charles Portrait?! Love to read it! THIS SHOULD BE A SERIES… royal portrait rejects! Anyone else??? 👏👏👏

[@bomaracev]

What a great video!

[@Jameson_Visual_Arts_Studios]

“Yes but why is there A SKULL on her chest?!” -Mark Mallman wrote on TikTok Wow. Just Wow. Mark saw the skull dress on TikTok, and commented there, and I can’t unsee it now. I joked that “😆Clearly, Queen Charlotte was Frank Castle’s inspiration to become Marvel Comic’s gritty anti-hero known as The Punisher!”(Who also wears a large skull symbol on the chest of his anti-hero outfit.). What’s the real story here, though? Is this like a more direct representation of death/mortality of the sitter/viewer than Holbein’s anamorphic perspective skull in his 1533 painting of The Ambassadors? Fascinating stuff. I know the skull we see is comprised of the painted dress elements/adornments, but it really looks like a skull when viewed from a distance! A YT post on this would be fantastic! ❤️☠️➕🤖 Cheers- Jameson

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

I wouldn't have noticed this picture as Queen Charlotte as opposed to others.

[@georginashanti4605]

Great video, thank you

[@nationalgallery]

Our pleasure, thank you for watching

[@mojosbigsticks]

Her foot follows you around the room.

[@robynmarler1951]

😂

[@santiagofernandez880]

Awesome video. 👍

[@carolynwright2132]

If the x-ray pics was the real face the Artist did a fantastic job gave her a chin and correct jawline, after 15 children you wouldn't look so shinny n wafty n glossy,beautiful art.

[@nautilusshell4969]

'Baldacchino'. - prounounced bahl-dak-ee-no. I always loved this portrait, however she felt about it!

[@nahannilove]

Lovely presentation.. I’ll be there this fall and can’t wait to witness in person. I wondered if in the radio graph her hair was also adjusted or re-painted? It appears to look like it’s just sitting on her head and not hers to me,, which is so curious because of his talent it doesn’t fit?!? 🤓

[@michaeldarby3503]

I spent 9 minutes thinking she was wearing a wristwatch

[@watchmedo635]

Wonderful presentation, I learned a lot! And the text messages were very funny too :)

[@nationalgallery]

We're so pleased to hear it

[@janeteholmes]

The side camera position is thoroughly distracting. What is it meant for?

[@markshrimpton3138]

I’ve noticed it seems to be a favoured way of presenting these days. I find it off-putting, as though the presenter is ignoring the viewers.

[@cuttwice3905]

I am partial to the Benjamin West's 1776 portrait. It was touched up to hide how worried she was about her husband's well being.

[@nunyabiznez3854]

Hey guy, we're over here! Very interesting and informative vid, but when you're chatting to us but looking at a different camera it's very distracting.

[@user-bl5yi4uw6j]

A great artist. I love his portraits of Peniston Lamb.

[@stacyjpoliticscommunityfai359]

Her most popular royal painting that was completed by Ramsey she never made a negative comment. Ramsey who is the same painter that completed Dido Belle's photo along with her cousin. Ramsay was a very well sought after painter and he's always been the favorite of the royals. I believe that she didn't like the painting because it didn't depict her true esthetics. I'm a business owner my own self and it's a very strong statement when a client makes a fair assessment of your work and their lack of displeasure for the final result and they choose to no pay for the product because it fails to live up to the quality they expected. If both the King and the Queen didn't pay for the work? There was definitely a problem.

[@jontalbot1]

What could have been mentioned is caprice. People used to command are not usually reflective and can become extremely arbitrary. In other words, the reason she did not like it is at least in part because she felt under no obligation to do so. She is the Queen, the artist is a commoner, she can do as she damn well pleases.

[@chuckspoke]

In the words of college dean, good creme will always rise to the top. If you have the talent, it will speak for you and no one can hinder your success.

[@Beruthiel45]

I wonder what was the English concept of beauty at the time? If this was considered to be a great likeness then the Queen was a beautiful woman by any standards. Such a shame she did not realise her charm.

[@Satu-zs7gm]

Emma Lady Hamilton, Mrs Graham gainsborough, etc

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

The English of the time much preferred very small features at the time. Tiny lips, tiny stature, tiny hands and feet, tiny everything. Only eyes, it seemed, were allowed to be big. Today, we find people of these characteristics to look bug eyed, and women as statuesque as queen charlotte to be stunning. It is interesting to see how drastically beauty standards have changed over the years.

[@HLDCO]

Saying "click here" and "here" is not accessible. People unable to see the screen would have no idea where to click. Plus "click" is mouse-centered language as many are unable to use a mouse. It's best to say something like, "select the link labeled [link name] to learn more about [subject]".

[@YoshiMario69]

Okay, no, the texting conversation is totally unnecessary wtf. Otherwise I LOVED the information and the speaker is awesome.

[@dinola3268]

Charlotte ist nicht die einzige. Hat nicht Winston oder seine Frau ein Bildnis zerstört?

[@greensage395]

It was likely her hair...it looks old and frazzled.

[@buffalochic1974]

I think it's a very beautiful portrait.

[@michaeljohnangel6359]

Everybody hates their portrait-thanks for pointing out the analogy between painted portraits and photos. I'm a huge fan of Lawrence's portraits, but this one is pretty bad: the little doll-like sitter floats around in a large space. It is also obvious that the body and clothing were painted from a manequin. All portrait painters did/do this-the sitter won't be present while you paint the clothing-but Lawrence usually hides this successfully, by playing up the gestural flow.

[@LilBrownieD]

Oh wow, i first saw the skull subconsciously until comments pointed out for real. 👀 very creepy

[@LewisCressey]

I don't see how my appreciation of a painting is enhanced by the addition of simulated web searches and text messaging.

[@hiwakoo]

I think she disliked it, because she apears to be melancholic, nearly crying.

[@barrymoore4470]

The anachronistic albeit witty employment of modern methods of electronic communication to convey the sentiments shared between the historical figures here could be problematic for some young viewers, who may not understand that this technology did not exist at the time of the events described.

[@korneyhebi5287]

Lawrence captured her vulnerability and her uncertainty about the future due to her husbands illness which is probably what she didn’t like. In the portraits by other painters she appears regal and in control as in her mind queens should be. Lawrence always finds the humanity in his subjects no matter what their status is and how hard they try to hide it and there lies his brilliance and comparisons to Van Dyck

[@homszerrudo1025]

Was it her depiction as a woman captured with all vulnerability of an individual undergoing all the vicissitudes of her circumstances that made it unappealing to a queen - a figure of power in her eyes and estimation?

[@roringusanda2837]

💀 shes secretly The Punisher

[@demetrapetrou8527]

🐝

[@christianfrommuslim]

Excellent information perfectly presented. To us, the painting is excellent. Yes, we need to understand the censure in the light of the times. Perhaps the disapproval really was tied to the hat? The king's disapproval could have stemmed from fear that a hatless queen would reflect the anti-royalist sentiments of the French. Having recently lost the American colonies the threat could have been seen as real. There was such fear that revolution would jump the channel to England.

[@cherylschantz9893]

He sent a portrait, hated by the Queen, to be exhibited. Sounds like he was pretty full of himself.

[@kyleanuar9090]

So she's not black?

[@helene4397]

Of course not. That possible moor ancestry is from 500 before her birth.

[@annemurphy9339]

Of course not.

[@annwilliams6438]

She looks so sad.

[@rosebroady6618]

It's a portrait of a tired careworn woman whos holding it together by a thread. Lawrence got past the regal and I think that may have been the reason she didn't like it... he saw too much

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

I think she looks sad and tired.

[@orsino88]

That is not how “chagrin” is pronounced in English or in French.

[@kittymervine6115]

also, many citizens blamed HER for her husband's mental illness, since by having so many children it was obvious that she and the king had marital relations on a regular basis. It was felt that was dangerous for any man, to just sleep with ONE woman. So, it was her fault...

[@brrryan2908]

Blur your eyes while looking at her breast. See a skull? It's a far better painting than I'll ever create. :) Thank you for the art history story.

[@kittymervine6115]

Is it true that most portraits had to leave out small pox scars. Lots of them?

[@charleshamilton9274]

Fifteen children. Never has the epithet “breeder” been more apt.

[@janedough6575]

Pale and thin, fifteen kids will do that to you 🫤

[@dalestaley5637]

It washes her out.

[@bonniemcgp]

This video is not loud enough!

[@gregorymost4906]

The fake text messages are distracting from the discussion of the issues relating to the commission of the painting.

[@BertieWooster13]

WHAT ABOUT THE SKULL HER BODICE MAKES!!!

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Too much of her white hair….Lawrence should had do a little flattery painting 😔 The Gainsborough portrait was the much better than Lawrence‘s portrait of Queen Charlotte 🎨 😊👍👍

[@poodle_soup211]

Perhaps if there was more of a color hue in her clothing, she might have seen herself more in a better attitude?

[@sandrahudson9901]

And that’s why she doesn’t like the portrait! It doesn’t look like who she is!

[@silla.1902]

People can't paint like this anymore. They've lost the skills.

[@magesalmanac6424]

That’s not true at all and you should do more research before posting. This style may not be popular anymore but it still exists.

[@markshrimpton3138]

That’s simply not the case.

[@bonniemagpie9960]

I think it looks very French.

[@-_Air_-]

Королю не понравилось, что она сняла шляпку. Вот и всё. И не оплатили труд художника. Личико милое, удачное, но без ресниц. А волосы вообще плохие. Они её очень старят.

[@ELLEKX.]

Omg 15 children no wonder she is upset with this picture she didn't have time to pose for this they they guessed what she looked like from seeing her once in a while and she is probably tired between rasing kids and hiding from her husband

[@tessdurberville711]

She loved her husband dearly.

[@alisonarmstrong8421]

She looks tired -- try having 15 children! and then the Madness of King George, the misbehavior of her oldest son who would become King geo. 4th...