New portraits of Queen heavily criticised
Famous Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn has been commisioned to take new official photographs of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
Three photos were made available to the public by the Government Information Service RVD on Thursday, the 70th anniversary of the Dutch queen.
Mr. Anton Corbijn (born 1955) is well known for his work with pop artists, film actors and music bands, as Depeche Mode, Rutger Hauer, David Bowie, Miles Davis and many others.
His new photographs show her in a very regal pose, at the Palace in The Hague, and as a stern CEO of The Kingdom of the Netherlands Inc.
The photos immediately drew fierce criticism. ,,This is boring. She might as well have asked her son to take the photos", Mrs Reinildis van Ditzhuyzen, a well-known historian said.
"These portraits are icecold", noted photographer Koos Breukel observed. "A pity they were again taken in the palace - they should have gone for something different", ANP-snapper Robin Utrecht, himself a prize winning photographer said.
Your comments are welcome
© GPD Netherlands Press Association; © Photos by Anton Corbijn for Netherlands GIS (RVD)
I think the photos are great!
Posted by: Alexia | February 01, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Take it from a professional art historian: there is nothing wrong with these photographs. They were intended to be straightforward official portraits, not "art," and they fit the category admirably. What do you all want? Queen Beatrix as envisioned by Diane Arbus? Don't be silly.
Posted by: lili | February 04, 2008 at 03:05 AM
I think that Her Majesty looks great in these photos !!! I am an American and envy the people of the Netherlands in that they have a Head of State that they can be proud of !!
Posted by: David from Boston | February 04, 2008 at 07:30 AM