Another article about new potrait http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/marys-aussie-portrait/2006/04/07/1143916701363.html
Crown Princess Mary's Australian heritage has not yet lost its novelty value in Denmark, and has been incorporated into her first official portrait.
The portrait was to be unveiled today at Frederiksborg Castle at Hillerod, north of Copenhagen, the home of Denmark's National History Museum.
The portrait of the Tasmanian-raised princess is by Sydney-born Australian painter Ralph Heimans, 35, who now lives in Paris.
Some clues to the portrait were provided ahead of the unveiling by Mette Skougaard, director of the museum which commissioned the 2.5 metres by 1.75 metres oil on canvas.
She said it fulfilled the aim of adding a dash of Australia while not straying too far from the tradition of royal portraiture.
"Our intention was not so much an official portrait, but a more personal study of her history and background," Ms Skougaard said.
"The whole composition is following those themes.
"You see a historical setting, but also reference to her own history.
"There is a royal framework and a royal setting, and traces of Mary's history in Australia."
Mr Heimans paid many visits to Denmark to complete several sittings with Princess Mary.
Princess Mary was consulted about the choice of artist, as was the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
Ms Skougaard said there would be no resentment among Danish artists that an Australian had received the royal commission.
"We have many royal portraits that were done by French and German artists, so this is nothing unusual in that regard," Ms Skougaard said.
"When they see the painting, everybody will see the point (of choosing Mr Heimans), because we so much wanted to emphasise her background.
"He very often puts in a narrative element and that is why we chose him."
The new portrait will be on display at Frederiksborg as part of an exhibition of contemporary Australian art, with the National Portrait Gallery lending portraits of figures such as Kylie Minogue, Ian Thorpe and Rupert Murdoch.
Heimans, who has painted portraits of Justice Michael Kirby, Tom Uren, arts benefactor Caroline Simpson and Bill Waterhouse, among others, is a past finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.
AAP
I think that she looks looks as though she was just about to gather up her accessories (handbag, gloves, etc) to go out of the door when something caught her eye out of the window. The look to me is a "moment in time" To some people she will always appear as though she is "aloof and arragant" no matter what she does. Some people come across that way but that does not necessarily prove to be the case. I like the portrait.
