I enjoyed my recent visit to Westminster Abbey. One of the things that particularly caught my attention was the painting of Queen Elizabeth II which was displayed in the Chapter House. The artist Ralph Heimans painted the portrait during the Queen’s Jubilee year:

THE CORONATION THEATRE: PORTRAIT OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Ralph Heimans (2012)
Oil on canvas

This unique painting of Her Majesty The Queen
standing on the Cosmati pavement in Westminster Abbey
has been purchased by the Abbey thanks to the
generosity of Lord and Lady Harris of Peckham.

This official portrait was painted during the
Diamond Jubilee Year of Her Majesty the Queen

A week after my visit I was quite dismayed to hear that the painting had been vandalised with spray paint.  After reading more of the story I understood why the man did what he did.  The man is a member of  Fathers4Justice (although it was not an official protest) and it was just four days before Fathers day and he would not be able to see his children on that day.

Desperate means lead to desperate measures.  I think he managed to highlight the problem but I think his actions might put some people off the cause.

It is a shame that the paint can was not noticed on entry into the building, during the obligatory bag search.  If a search is necessary (for whatever reason) it should be done properly.

Much of the elaborate arcading and detailed stone carving typical of Cluniac buildings can still be seen on its interior walls. Lining the walls were stone benches where the monks sat. Towards the back on the right, a blocked doorway can be seen, which once led to a treasury under the stairs. The lintel has an unusual carving of a grotesque head – an example of Anglo-Scandinavian sculpture. *

*From the English Heritage guidebook.