REGINA —Government House in Regina is hosting a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II this year in honour of her platinum jubilee.
The official portrait was painted by Canadian artist Phil Richards and unveiled on June 6, 2012 at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the queen’s diamond jubilee.
The painting is now on loan to Government House from Rideau Hall, which is currently undergoing renovations. The portrait, which stands at 129 inches and weighs 320 pounds, will be displayed at Government House until March 26, 2023.
Richards and his wife Jennifer were in Regina for the formal portrait unveiling event at Government House last Thursday by Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty.
Prior to Thursday’s unveiling event, Richards was introduced at the legislature by Premier Scott Moe, who encouraged everyone to go see the painting and accompanying exhibit.
“During the 2010 royal tour of Canada, Mr. Richards oversaw a series of photographs that were taken of Her Majesty. He met with the queen to discuss the concept of the painting and how the work of that painting would proceed. He undertook extensive research and completed more than 300 sketches, drawings, maquettes and models before actually getting to and completing the actual portrait. The entire process took about seven months, seven months over a two-year period. The end result, I think we could all say, is quite magnificent as it is a very vibrant and finely rendered portrait of one very dignified and, I would say, very determined queen.
“ … So I would urge everyone to take the opportunity to visit Government House in the days ahead to view the portrait of Her Majesty and to learn more about the effort that goes into creating what a wonderful work of art this is. And I would also invite people to explore Mr. Richards’s catalogue online, as it’s available for all to see — not just the portraits but all of the still-life paintings that he has available there. I have looked, Mr. Speaker, and it’s quite something.”
Richards was also on hand for events at Government House Friday when the exhibition was opened to the public.
The evening was billed as the Platinum Exhibits Unveiling, with the opening to the public of its feature exhibit, Platinum on the Prairie: The Queen in Saskatchewan.
The exhibition features photos and items celebrating the queen’s six visits to the province of Saskatchewan, located in the Feature Exhibit Room.
Also unveiled was The Making of the Portrait exhibit, upstairs in the Queen Elizabeth II Art Gallery. The exhibit highlights the painstaking process Richards undertook in producing the portrait, including some of the models Richards created during the process of painting.
The Diamond Jubilee Portrait of the Queen was on display to the public as well, located in the QEII Wing elbow.
The highlight of Friday evening was the chance for people to meet Richards and attend the screening of The Portrait, a National Film Board documentary on the process behind the creation of the Diamond Jubilee Portrait. Afterwards, Richards fielded questions from those in attendance.
There will be opportunities for the public to visit Government House to see the exhibit over the next year. After Saskatchewan, the plan is for the portrait to be displayed in Alberta and British Columbia.
The event Friday kicks off the summer series of public events at Government House, coinciding with the Victoria Day long weekend.
Victoria Day was celebrated at Government House Monday with an event for families featuring birthday cake, face painting and scavenger hunts.
Other events coming up soon at Government House include Lunch on the Lawn during the noon hour June 17, featuring entertainment by Brad Bellegarde. On July 1 is the lieutenant governor’s Canada celebration.
