The Artist Who Painted Prince Philip’s Final Portrait Revealed The Hidden Symbols In The Image
Wearing distinguished clothing and with a smile flickering at the corners of his mouth, Prince Philip looks suitably splendid in his final portrait. The backdrop’s something to behold, too — a magnificent corridor of Windsor Castle, adorned with regal portraits and stretching as far as the eye can see. But there are also some fascinating hidden details contained in the image, as the artist has revealed.
Hidden meaning
You could be forgiven for thinking that the colossal canvas — measuring a whopping 63 x 90 inches — is a photograph, so exquisite is its detail. It perfectly captures the ornate ceiling of Windsor’s Grand Corridor, where the Queen and Philip lived until his sad passing in April 2021. And now, talented artist Ralph Heimans has shed light on the symbolism concealed within his painting.
Fitting tribute
The majestic artwork — or “state portrait” as royal paintings are officially known — is a fitting tribute to the beloved duke and consort to the Queen. Known in life for his wry humor and sense of fun, Philip has an almost visible twinkle in his eye in Heimans’ portrait. Despite his formal attire, though, he looks almost casual, too, in a sideways stance with his hands loosely clasped behind his back.
Cleverly crafted
As the artist’s revealed, though, the composition of the painting was cleverly crafted to have special meaning for the duke and his family. In fact, it’s a signature style of London-based artist Heimans, who’s built a relationship with the royals over the years. In that time he’s created impressive works of the Queen and Prince Charles, too. And they all contain hidden meanings.
Jaw-dropping
The Coronation Theatre: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, created for the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, is another jaw-dropping example of Heimans’ artistry. In it, the monarch is pictured in the exact spot where she’d ascended to the throne six decades earlier. It’s also where all English kings and queens over the past nine centuries have been crowned. Wow!
