Kate Middleton's first official portrait...everybody's a critic...whatta ya think?

[blithe spirit]

"It looks like Paul Emsley was going for an 'old masters' look with this painting. She has a half-smile, a Mona Lisa smile, which is very mysterious—like she has a secret," Robin Cembalest, executive editor of ARTNews, told Yahoo! Shine. "As for the criticism, it's difficult to paint a portrait everyone will like of someone so incredibly famous."  One comment...most seem to be fairly negative..

[Mickchick]

I don't think it's very flattering of her - in the the photos I've seen of her, she's more attractive, but the style is fine, and his technique is good, IMO.  I just always thought portrait painters tried to make someone look even better than they normally do, not not as good!

[Dell]

And she is important? Why?

[blithe spirit]

She is important to some people in Great Britain because she is part of the Brtish royal family. Importantace is always relative to perspective and interest.

I find it interesting because there are hundreds of these types of portraits that are the only representations of people in history....prior to photography. It's a glimpse into the past and the future at the same time. 

I thought it might be fun to be a critic...our perspective I imagine would be a bit different than those in Great Britain and those who critique for a living.

[crestofwaves]

I agree.  She is so beautiful, yet in this I see a smirk and mischief in her eyes.  And she looks older in this than she looks in any photos of her. This makes her look hard-eyed.

[frenchy]

well as one who don't really care about kings or queens or dukes or earls i try not to get sucked into all the hoopla about it .. but .. its hard to go anywhere and not hear somethin about the new queen apparent ( if the old queen ever gives up the crown and charles does too ) its kinda like the kardashians .. they're famous because they're famous ?? i have to admit that kim has a hell of an ass tho but how much of that is even real ?? at least dolly parton could sing and play the guitar even if her knockers weren't real .. but i digress .. the picture is as cresty , kathy , pat and micky says .. not very flattering .. i think it makes her look older and more hard edged ..  

[Lifesighs]

Awful portrait, her big smile is usually so happy and charming. This painting needs to be put in the attic and start over with a painter who actually likes her.