Paul Emsley's "The Duchess of Cambridge" has been unveiled at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npg.org.uk%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">National Portrait Gallery</a> in London. The painting is the first official portrait of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F12%2F03%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fduchess-of-cambridge-profile%2Findex.html">Catherine</a>, wife of Britain's Prince William, at the gallery. It joins centuries-worth of official paintings and photographs of the British royal family in the gallery's collection.
Duchess of Cambridge's portrait unveiled —
Paul Emsley's "The Duchess of Cambridge" has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The painting is the first official portrait of Catherine, wife of Britain's Prince William, at the gallery. It joins centuries-worth of official paintings and photographs of the British royal family in the gallery's collection.
Paul Emsley for National Portrait Gallery
The unveiling of the Duchess of Cambridge's first official portrait at the National Portrait Gallery has attracted considerable attention.
Duchess of Cambridge's portrait unveiled —
The unveiling of the Duchess of Cambridge's first official portrait at the National Portrait Gallery has attracted considerable attention.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Paul Emsley, an award-winning artist born in Glasgow, Scotland, painted the picture from a series of photos taken during two sittings in May and June 2012.
Duchess of Cambridge's portrait unveiled —
Paul Emsley, an award-winning artist born in Glasgow, Scotland, painted the picture from a series of photos taken during two sittings in May and June 2012.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
The duchess is said to have asked to be portrayed naturally, and Emsley said he had chosen to show her smiling, because "that is really who she is."
Duchess of Cambridge's portrait unveiled —
The duchess is said to have asked to be portrayed naturally, and Emsley said he had chosen to show her smiling, because "that is really who she is."
Getty Images
Catherine, who is expecting her first baby, is reported to be pleased with the finished work, telling Emsley at a private viewing that it is "amazing."
Duchess of Cambridge's portrait unveiled —
Catherine, who is expecting her first baby, is reported to be pleased with the finished work, telling Emsley at a private viewing that it is "amazing."
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
However, the reaction from art critics and the public has been more mixed, with many taking to Twitter to share their views that the portrait is unflattering.
Duchess of Cambridge's portrait unveiled —
However, the reaction from art critics and the public has been more mixed, with many taking to Twitter to share their views that the portrait is unflattering.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images