“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” by Lucian Freud | Style Imitating Art
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Terri of Meadow Tree Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as presenter, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the presenter by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the presenter will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You don’t have to be a blogger to join either! In fact, you don’t even have to join but you can still use the art to inspire an outfit just for the sake of trying something different. If you want to share your inspired outfit, we invite you do so on Instagram or any other social media platform that you prefer. Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
This Week’s Presenter
It is my turn and I am really excited about this one! Ever since Queen Elizabeth II died in September, I have been wanting to choose artwork that features her likeness but I struggled with deciding on which one. I had my mind set on Andy Warhol’s 1985 silkscreen series Reigning Queens but my heart was not convinced that it was the right choice.
Then I was thinking of the Sex Pistols’ 1977 God Save the Queen banner by Jamie Reid but still my heart was not convinced. Finally, I found this 2001 portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by British painter and grandson of Sigmund Freud, Lucian Freud. There is a controversial history behind this royal portrait that I will share in my outfit post next week, as usual.
The Artwork
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Lucian Freud
Here is a photograph of the Queen sitting for this portrait.
After I decided on this portrait, my mind went immediately to an outfit that I wore for The Magnificent 8 Style Heirlooms a few years ago, featuring my grandmother’s blue shawl in the exact color as the Queen’s blazer. Isn’t the whole look right on point for this style challenge?
But I don’t like to use old outfits for new challenges, so I have already put together something else for this one. It’s unexpected and super fun, in my opinion, and I can’t wait to share it with you next week!
If you want to be featured with your art inspired outfit in my gallery post on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, be sure to submit your photos to me at shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com by 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Happy styling, my friends!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
16 Comments
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
What a fun take on a true icon!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I thought so, too, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Your dress is so pretty!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, my friend! I feel very pretty and feminine when I wear it.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Looking forward to see the outfit you chose!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, I think you are going to really like it, Nancy! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts after you see it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
I have a lot of ideas for this one! But I hope we have until Jan 31 to send images for a Feb 1 post rather than tomorrow and Wed. of this week.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Sally, thank you so much for catching that date discrepancy! Yes, the photos are due to me by January 31 not tomorrow. I corrected the information in my post, too. Apparently calendars are confusing to potheads like me! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I’m so glad you picked the late Queen for the subject of your art choice. I have a couple of ideas, but I’m not sure which way I’ll go just yet!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Marsha! I look forward to seeing what you style in memory of the Queen!
xoxo
Shelbee
Pamela
Not the most flattering portrait of her Majesty but, as in life, art comes in all forms. And in her more pensive moments there’s no doubt that it is HER!! Your soft and pretty take on the painting finds the woman beneath!
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Pamela! I was reading that there was some controversy over this depiction of the Queen because it is generally considered not very flattering. But the Queen herself seemed very pleased with the outcome. You are correct, it is undoubtedly her, so an accurate depiction, for sure!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
I recently saw this painting in the flesh, in the Lucian Freud exhibition in London. It’s striking in that it’s a very small painting, dwarfed by some of his huge paintings. You find yourself wondering if this was his way of reducing The Queen and her role. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Gail! I was reading that there was some controversy over the minuscule size of this painting. I am going to share some of the history in my outfit post next week. I think that is so awesome that you had the opportunity to view this work in real life!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very nice. Love it
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee