Ralph Heimans
| Ralph Heimans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian, Dutch[1] |
| Education |
University of Sydney Julian Ashton Art School |
| Known for | Painting |
| Notable work |
The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Portrait of HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark |
| Website |
www |
Ralph Heimans, AM, is an Australian-born contemporary portrait painter. He is best known for his Diamond Jubilee Portrait of Her Majesty The Queen.[2] Heimans studied Fine Arts and Pure Mathematics at the University of Sydney and continued his art studies at the Julian Ashton Art School. In 1997 he moved to Paris to take up a commission from the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.[3]
His critically acclaimed portrait of HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, her first official portrait was unveiled in Frederiksborg Castle in 2006. It was praised for its multi-layered narrative and sophisticated treatment of the young princess..."a symphony of shadows." [4]
Other recent subjects include musician and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, High Court Justice Michael Kirby, Governor-General, Dame Quentin Bryce and American Philanthropist, Darla Moore.[5][6]
In 2012, Heimans was offered a sitting with Queen Elizabeth II to paint an official portrait for her Diamond Jubilee. The painting sitting with the Queen took place at Buckingham Palace, but is the portrait is set in Westminster Abbey, the site of her Coronation. It was first on display in the National Portrait Gallery of Australia until April 2013.[7] where it drew record numbers of visitors to the gallery. Acquired by the Westminster Abbey in London for its permanent collection it was put on public display there in May 2013. In June the painting was damaged by a vandal, the extent of the damage is currently unclear.[8] It is suspected the vandalism was an unofficial protest in favour of campaign group Fathers 4 Justice.[9]
The painting went back on public display at Westminster Abbey on 16 July 2013.[10]
References
- ↑ "Ivo Niehe interview with Ralph Heimans". TV Show. Season 35 (in Dutch). Amsterdam. 10 January 2016. 22:28 minutes in. AVROTROS. NPO 1. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
Niehe: Ralph. Ralph Heimans, is a very Dutch name for an Australian painter. How come? Heimans: Well, my father is Dutch, and I'm Dutch, so.. Niehe: Yeah, half Dutch. Heimans: Well, fully Dutch in my opinion.
- ↑ Davies, Lucy (18 September 2012). "Portraits of power". Daily Telegraph. London.
- ↑ "Ralph Heimans biography". Cat Street Gallery.
- ↑ "The painter and the princess". National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
- ↑ http://files.cargocollective.com/495062/Columbia-Regional-Business-Report.pdf
- ↑ "Ralph Heimans". Lines and Colors.
- ↑ "Diamond Jubilee portrait captures her majesty". The Australian. 29 September 2012.
- ↑ http://ralphheimans.com/P-R-E-S-S
- ↑ Queen's portrait defaced with spray paint in Westminster Abbey
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23334433