How does Queen Elizabeth II (painting) elucidate its Background?
Ward was chosen to prepare the portrait as he was a long-standing supporter of the British Red Cross. The painting was influenced by the work of previous royal portraitists including Anthony van Dyck and Joshua Reynolds. Ward painted the portrait in secret in his converted garage studio in Burlington, Ontario, using reference photographs from a two-hour session at Windsor Castle's White Drawing Room. He later remarked that passers-by would occasionally catch a glance at the work in progress and be surprised.
Anthony van Dyck British Red Cross Burlington, Ontario Joshua Reynolds Windsor Castle