Royal Watch News

Rejected Queen Elizabeth portrait goes on display

Jan 18, 2013, 12:02 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

A portrait of Britain's Queen Elizabeth which was rejected for looking nothing like her has gone on permanent display.

Artist John Napper was commissioned in 1952 by Liverpool Town Hall to produce a piece of work for the queen's coronation in 1953, but it faced such heavy criticism - including that her neck was 'too long' - it was shelved and the artist was asked to start again.

However, St. George's Hall in Liverpool, North West England, have announced they will now permanently showcase the artwork to mark the 60th anniversary since the queen was crowned.

Liverpool's deputy Lord Mayor Gary Millar said: 'We are very proud that Liverpool now has the original first painting hanging in St. George's Hall, which has been rehung to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

'It will be the first thing people will see if they come to get married or have a civil partnership or attend a citizenship ceremony.'

The artist, who died in 2001, famously admitted his picture was not a true depiction of his subject.

He said: 'It's a beautiful painting of a queen, but not this queen.'