Her Majesty Queen Anne of Romania 2007 - 2008

Curator: Upon entering this gallery, your attention is immediately drawn to Nelson Shanks' captivating oil painting, "Her Majesty Queen Anne of Romania," completed between 2007 and 2008. Editor: The first impression is one of poised serenity, yet there's a tangible sense of historical weight bearing down, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Precisely. The layering of symbolism is incredibly rich here. Portraits within the portrait act as powerful palimpsests, creating a visual tapestry of her life. Each element works to weave a narrative. Editor: That’s right! The composition itself tells a story about monarchy in transition. We have photographs nestled alongside old books, the modern and historical woven together like a collage. She, herself, projects dignity, even resignation. A visual representation of someone bound to her historical duty? Curator: The objects, as well as her posture, tell us she has cultivated restraint. A pearl brooch is pinned modestly, speaking volumes about her background. Also the pearls may be symbolic, pearls are traditionally linked with purity, innocence and wisdom which is relevant when portraying royalty, so it reinforces Her Majesty’s reputation and status. Editor: Yes, everything down to her dress signifies grace and understated elegance. There’s a quiet acknowledgement of a lineage she both embodies and, perhaps, is slightly separated from due to time and sociopolitical changes. It makes you reflect on the symbolic role royalty has held for years. Curator: Shanks uses light and shadow meticulously to sculpt her face, which emphasizes her strength and wisdom. And don’t disregard the painting of the tulips up above; they symbolize perfect love, which suggests love towards her nation and the role it implies to maintain such love. Editor: Ultimately, though, is this a celebration or a eulogy? Is Shanks reminding us, or perhaps asking, about the purpose of symbols and of monarchy? Curator: The brilliance of this painting is that it's both, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: It's the tension between those possibilities that stays with you. Thank you.