VIDEO: Ely artist produces portrait of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
Yves Messer's portrait of Kate Middleton - Credit: Archant
AN Ely artist has been inspired to do his own portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge.
Yves Messer, 53, was unimpressed by Paul Emsley’s official portrait of Kate Middleton, which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, so he decided to do his own.
The Duchess of Cambridge posed for Mr Emsley before she became pregnant, having one sitting at his studio in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, followed by another at Kensington Palace in London, in May and June last year.
At its unveiling, she described the portrait as “absolutely amazing”.
But it was savaged by art critics, including Robin Simon, the editor of the British Art Journal, who said it was a “ghastly, rotten, an out and out disaster”.
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Mr Messer said: “I personally was not impressed by the official portrait and felt it could be better.
“It lacked youth and she should be happier. I know many other people felt the same way about it.
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“Kate is an inspirational person who impresses me so the portrait I have just completed hopefully conveys a younger, happier and more contemporary look.”
Mr Messer is not in contact with the Royal Family but he intends to inform them about his portrait.
The artist, who moved from Belgium to Ely ten years ago, has held exhibitions throughout the world.
He is one of the few artists who has met with and painted Stephen Hawking, an experience which left him humbled.
He said: “It was amazing. I was allowed to stay in his office and do sketches of him while he was working.
“He is a person I admire and I am very happy and proud that he allowed me to paint him.”
You can find out more about his work by visiting ymesser.blogspot.co.uk
