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Queen Prelims and Sketches

Pencil Study –
Poised in Simplicity

“Queen Elizabeth II, Preliminary Close-up on Her Horse”
Pencil on Paper | 32” × 22”
A refined pencil sketch isolates the monarch in quiet control. Friberg explores form and bearing, showing Queen Elizabeth II relaxed and astride her beloved horse Centennial. This early rendering exudes dignity through the clarity of line and delicacy of shading, offering a natural introduction to the larger composition.

Oil Portrait Head Study – Character in Close-up

“Queen Elizabeth II, Study”
Oil on Board | 6” × 6”
A concentrated facial study, intimate in scale, reveals Friberg’s sensitivity to expression and presence. Rendered in warm, muted tones, this piece focuses on the Queen’s quiet resolve and commanding grace, elements he would later scale into grand style.

Colour Development Study –
Body and Background Merge

“Queen Elizabeth II, Preliminary Close-up on Her Horse”
Oil on Canvas Board | 20” × 15”
The composition begins to coalesce: color and light are now introduced to the pencil foundations. The Queen’s posture becomes more stately, her figure emerging more confidently from the brush. Friberg tests tone and balance, bridging the gap between draft and scene.

Full Composition Colour Study –
The Royal Equestrian Vision

“Queen Elizabeth II, Preliminary”
Oil on Board | 17.25” × 28”
Bathed in the warm hues of a late afternoon, the Queen rides her favorite horse, Centennial, with quiet authority. This is the first appearance of her Royal Coat of Arms, signifying formal approval. Friberg masterfully blends light, color, and composure to evoke a regal atmosphere—refining posture and emotion to deliver a composition rich in both mood and movement.

Landscape Composition Sketch –
Royal Presence in Nature

“Queen Elizabeth II, Preliminary”
Oil on Paper | 16” × 22”
Set within the tranquil grounds of Buckingham Palace, this study captures the lush tones of early summer, with vibrant greens and golden foliage. It lays the foundation for the final composition, exploring the surrounding landscape and establishing the portrait’s serene narrative context. It is the crescendo of the studies—the step just before final canvas.

Final Note –
The Masterpiece Unveiled

“Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”
Oil on Canvas | 5 ft × 8 ft
Following nearly two months of royal sittings at Buckingham Palace, this commanding portrait by Arnold Friberg, completed in 1994, presents Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with serene authority and dignified poise. Set within the tranquil Palace grounds, the composition unites natural grace with symbolic grandeur.

Each preparatory study led to this monumental work—an enduring statement of sovereign presence, and a landmark in the history of twentieth-century royal portraiture.