His Majesty King Michael of Romania 2007

Nelson Shanks painted this dignified portrait of His Majesty King Michael of Romania. Dominating the upper-left background is a Byzantine-style icon of the Virgin and Child, a symbol deeply embedded in Christian tradition, representing maternal love, compassion, and spiritual guidance. This archetypal image—the tender mother, the divine child—resonates across millennia and cultures, echoing in ancient depictions of goddesses nurturing their offspring. Consider Isis and Horus in Egyptian art, their bond symbolizing renewal and protection. The motif transcends religious boundaries, tapping into a universal wellspring of human emotion. The presence of such an icon in a royal portrait subtly infuses the sitter with an aura of benevolent authority, connecting him to a lineage of leaders who, like the Madonna, are seen as protectors of their people. The icon becomes more than religious art; it's a potent symbol of cultural continuity, power, and the enduring human need for comfort and reassurance.