Object: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, full length, wearing academic robes

Title:

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, full length, wearing academic robes

Object name(s):

Picture

Collection:

Senate House Library

Comments:

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was the ninth Chancellor of the University of London, 1955-1980. The University had awarded her an honorary degree in 1937. This is one of two portraits of her in the University of London art collection; her gown as Chancellor is also on display. Portrait signed and dated to lower right. Framed. London artist Michael Noakes initially wanted to be a priest or, failing that, a comedian, but started to train as an artist at the age of 15. Over a career spanning more than 60 years, he painted actors, scientists, broadcasters, church leaders, presidents. He made his name in 1972 with a commission to paint seven members of the Royal Family, including the Queen. Others include the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, and Princess Anne. Most artists who get to paint the Queen have 90 minutes with her: Noakes painted her several times and had 20 hours. He accompanied the Queen on visits around Britain, Asia and Africa for a book The Daily Life of the Queen: An Artists’s Diary (2000): he contributed the pictures, his wife the text. Noakes is, moreover, the only painter to have been given time by Pope Benedict XVI for a portrait commissioned by and for the Vatican. Noakes’ paintings hang in many important collections such as the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum and the House of Commons.

Dimension:

181 x 100 cm

Material:

oil on canvas

Normal location:

Senate House

Object history note:

Portrait commissioned by Thames Television for presentation to the University of London to mark the 25th anniversary of Queen Eliz. QM as Chancellor. Unveiled by Chancellor, 6 July 1982. See corresp. In Court files.

Object name:

Picture

Object number:

PO-0013

Object production date:

1981-2

Object production person:

Noakes, Michael

Person's association:

Artist

Person's birth date:

1933-2018

Person's gender:

M

Person's nationality:

English

Persistent shareable link for this record: https://museumdata.uk/objects/415a6e5e-0dd4-3750-acad-4caf67517df8

Use licence for this record: CC BY-NC

Attribution for this record: https://museumdata.uk/objects/415a6e5e-0dd4-3750-acad-4caf67517df8, Senate House Library, CC BY-NC

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