The Duchess of Edinburgh unveiled a striking new portrait of herself, created by mouth painter Sarah Jane Parsons, during a visit to London on Wednesday. The artwork draws inspiration from a photograph taken during her trip to Nepal with Prince Edward last year.
Gallery Tour and Artist Encounters
Wearing an elegant black blazer and white skirt, the 61-year-old Duchess engaged enthusiastically with the exhibition, meeting talented artists who produce their works using only their mouths or feet to hold paintbrushes. These creators have overcome significant challenges to showcase their remarkable skills.
American artist Sarah Jane Parsons ed deep gratitude for the commission. “I was extremely, extremely honoured to paint the Duchess,” she said. “It’s pretty much the highest honour I could have, to paint a portrait of somebody in the Royal Family.” Parsons also highlighted her appreciation for the Duchess’s global charitable efforts.
Parsons selected watercolour for the portrait, noting its tradition within the Royal Family, reportedly initiated by Queen Victoria. She incorporated a Philip Morris print in the background to honor his influence in the British Arts and Crafts movement, which helped unify the composition.
Patronage and Exhibition Details
Serving as Patron of the Treloar Trust, the Duchess toured the exhibition at RHS Lindley Hall, which continues until the end of the week. She received the portrait as a gift upon departure and marveled at the artists’ techniques, including watercolours, magnetic boards, and other innovative methods.
Board member and artist Tom Yendell OBE guided the Duchess through the displays. “Her Royal Highness’s visit was fantastic,” Yendell stated. “She not only visited the artists we thought she would, but also spoke with artists from all over the world, like those from Taiwan and France, so it’s been a really special event.”
The Duchess also connected with British artists Rob Trent and Keith Jansz, and observed live demonstrations by Alison Lapper MBE, Rosie Moriarty-Simmonds OBE, and Bazza West.
Exhibition Overview
Titled Defying Limits, Defining Art: 70 Years of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, the show features over 120 original artworks from more than 33 countries, celebrating the organization’s 70-year legacy and the Commonwealth’s diverse talents. Visitors can meet these resilient artists, whose landscapes, portraits, and abstract pieces demonstrate boundless creativity.
The exhibition runs from April 15 to April 18 at The Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, in Westminster.
