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Painting the Queen: A Portrait of Her Majesty

Documentary following the Toronto painter Phil Richards as he is asked by the Canadian government to create a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her diamond jubilee.

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Hubert Davis, this film follows the renowned Toronto painter Phil Richards as he is asked by the Canadian government to create a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her diamond jubilee.

But this historic commission also poses enormous challenges for Richards, who is accustomed to spending long hours with his subjects, in person. Richards must take a dramatically different approach for this most unique artistic subject. After a brief photo session with Her Majesty, he sets about creating an amazing world of studies, even doll-like sculptures of Queen Elizabeth, all to help him capture her likeness on canvas.

Months of solitary study and preparation complete, Richards returns to Buckingham Palace for an all-important second meeting with Her Majesty, to see if she approves of his vision and approach. She does, to his great relief, and work can now finally begin on the Queen's official portrait. As all the months of study and preparation come to fruition, Her Majesty's likeness takes shape before our eyes.

40 minutes

Last on

Tue 30 Oct 2012 00:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Director Hubert Davis
Producer Lea Marin

Broadcasts