King Charles III’s first portrait as monarch has sparked divided opinions.
Painted by Jonathan Yeo, the portrait features the King in a red Welsh Guards uniform, holding a sword with a butterfly above his right shoulder. The background is also dominated by shades of red.
Online reactions to the painting have been polarized. Some people appreciate the bold use of red, while others find it overwhelming.
The portrait will be on display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from May 16 to June 14, and later at Drapers’ Hall starting in late August.
One woman found the portrait “memorable” but “very dramatic.” Another felt “overwhelmed by the red.” A third woman associated the color red with “evil” and “dominating” and linked it to colonial atrocities. Conversely, another viewer praised the painting for its artistic quality and departure from traditional portraits.
Animator and filmmaker Ross Ozarka found the portrait “interesting” and saw no controversy, appreciating how it draws attention to the King’s face.
