Chris Levine

Queen Elizabeth II, 2025
Giclée print with pastel drawing and hand-applied micro Swarovski crystals
57.9 in. x 65.3 in. / 147.3 cm. x 166 cm.
Unique

Chris Levine is an artist who works across many mediums in pursuit of a meditative experience through image and form. His medium is Light, and in the case of his portraiture the artist talks about capturing the inner Light. Levine is perhaps best known for producing what is already being described as one of the most iconic images of the twenty-first century: Lightness of Being. With light as its message, the sensational portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presents an utterly fresh depiction of a woman, who for almost a century, was the most famous woman in the world.

Levine had two historic sittings at Buckingham Palace for which he styled the Queen, selecting her clothes and jewelry for the portrait including the ceremonial diamond diadem crown. The National Portrait Gallery called it “the most evocative image of a Royal by any artist.”

This one-of-a-kind version of the color Lightness of Being, printed over images from the Equanimity sittings, is a first-time creation. It is additionally adorned with pastel hand drawings to further add to its uniqueness.

In addition to receiving this incredible print, the winning bidder will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II and have their own portrait sitting with Chris Levine at his Mayfair studio in London. Levine’s past subjects for his portrait sittings have included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Sir Paul Smith, the Dalai Lama, Grace Jones, Gilbert and George, Giorgio Armani,Banksy, and others. Many of his portraits are in the permanent collections of major museums throughout the world.

Levine has had solo exhibitions at numerous institutions and galleries, including a 2021 career-defining solo exhibition at the prestigious Houghton Hall, England, following James Turrell, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst, and Henry Moore. Other exhibitions include Collectors Contemporary, Singapore; Annenberg Foundation, Los Angeles; Museum of Modern Art, New York; the National, Scotland; and at The Royal Opera House, Saatchi Gallery, Moco Museum, and National Portrait Gallery in London.

Courtesy of the artist (@chrislevine)

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