|
Portrait gets princely sum
28/09/2005 22:34 - (SA)
London - The only original portrait of Prince William went on display on Wednesday at a London gallery, but not on sale. An unidentified buyer already had snapped it up, said the gallery.
The portrait of William was among four royal portraits offered for sale at Agnew's gallery in Mayfair. The asking price for each portrait was £117 500 (about R1.3m).
The other three paintings included one of the entire royal family and two of the late Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
"People started ringing up on Monday, and all of the studies have been reserved," said Agnew's director Christopher Kingzet.
Artist John Wonnacott painted live studies of six royal family members while working on a painting to celebrate the Queen Mother's 100th birthday in 2000. The finished painting is housed in the National Portrait Gallery.
These latest royal collectables give monarchists an extremely rare opportunity to own original paintings of the royal family.
Wonnacott recalled that William, then 17, was an easy subject. The prince wore his Eton uniform, including a waistcoat and bow tie, for the portrait.
Sitting for a royal portrait is a historic affair, requiring the subject to sit still for hours on end.
William, second in line for the throne behind his father, Prince Charles, will be expected to sit for many paintings at key moments in his life - perhaps a marriage, coronation and even a centenary year like his late great-grandmother, the Queen Mother.
- AP
|
South Africa
