June Mendoza OBE RP ROI | The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022

1980s

June Mendoza OBE RP ROI

The Royal Greenjackets – Winchester Barracks

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

89 x 74 cm (35 x 29 ins)

Oil on canvas

Born in Melbourne, a child of professional musicians, it was apparent from a very early age that June had already established her tendency for depicting the human form; she painted her first portrait aged just 13. June then studied for two years at St Martin’s School of Art and then spent a few years as an actress on the West End.

After marrying, June travelled a great deal with her husband and painted portraiture throughout. She has lived in the Far East and Australia.

June has painted individuals from all walks of life and has an impressive list of notable sitters to her name. She says, ‘There is a never ending fascination in the intrinsic differences and similarities of the shapes, body language, and individual visual story of each subject, plus the excitements of compo- sition and all the technical necessities.’

June painted The Queen five times. Her portraits are in public and private collections internationally, including the National Portrait Gallery.

June on painting H.M The Queen:

‘Painting The Queen was always going to be preceded by that little bit of extra tension; but Ma’am was patient, cooperative and professional, and, of course, far more experienced as a sitter than most, as she has had to sit for so many of us over her years.’