Artist Jacques Schneider has unveiled a new series of portraits featuring Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, created in honour of the upcoming succession to the throne. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess posed for the series and participated in the creative process, from selecting the colours to shaping the composition.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg will ascend to the throne on 3 October 2025, following the abdication of his father, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. The historic occasion will be marked over three days with official ceremonies, nationwide celebrations, and a religious service. The abdication will take place at the Grand Ducal Palace, followed by Grand Duke Guillaume’s swearing-in at the Chamber of Deputies.
These pictures almost look like AI created photo's, which of course they are not, but the amount of photoshop is just over the top.
ReplyDeleteQuite right!
Deleteyes. the have aged them
Delete14:40 how do you see that? What do I need to look for to see this? Good to learn about!
DeleteAh, so the sketched lines on one of his lapels and around her neckline, Photoshop?
DeleteAmateur photoshop the lines around the corner of suit and her neck! so unprofessional!
DeleteAPPARENTLY, the lines are part of the original artwork according to the artist's page
Deletehttps://www.instagram.com/p/DNGQdVOtOdL/?hl=en&img_index=4
Thank you Missy.
DeleteAnon 16:29 Do you really think a very wealthy royal couple are going to use amateur professionals and approve of shotty work, then release the work to the public?
DeleteMissy, thanks for the link.
Thanks, missy, for the Instagram link - that's kind of cool (all I could access is one black&white photo). ~~Ruthie
DeleteAll official portraits of royals are photoshopped.
DeleteTHIS IS ARTWORK.
DeleteWHO IS THE ARTIST?
Yuliia
Thank you Missy.
DeleteT
Lovely capture! MR
ReplyDeleteIs there a tape or band on Prince Guillaume's left lapel and across Princess Stephanie's neckline? It appears in a few of the official portraits.
ReplyDeleteYes, I noticed this as well! Either how strange, or how interesting if it is an artistic element. But surely they would not have released the photos unless it was on purpose?
Delete-Aloise
I see the same thing--odd. Janet
DeleteI see it too. It’s not in all photos. That is really strange.
DeleteStephanie looks marvelous and the dark green is a great color for her. I do not like the background superimposed on these photos--it's weird-looking and Guillaume's chair is floating in it. I really wish Guillaume would grow out his beard again as it was so flattering on him.
DeleteJanet
I see that too, very odd that it is in photo 1 but not in photo 2 lapel.
Delete@christina, looks like someone was sketching on the photo in PhotoShop software and publishing it without cleaning it! Ooops.
DeleteIf you visit the young artist's IG site, you will see many photos of this project and why he inserted those markings on Guillaume's lapel and Stephanie's neckline. Those are photographic markings that can be coloured in post production (like a green screen), and he has indeed coloured them to match other elements of his whimsical backgrounds and framing. It's all purely artistic expression. (For whatever reason, the photos above in this post do not show that final coloured effect.) He has also used other post processing effects on Stephanie's dress edges and Guillaume's coat to give a more 'pop art' look to these portraits (think Andy Warhol).
DeleteHe also says how extremely grateful he is to the royal couple for giving him carte blanche to do as he pleased over 4 sessions at the ducal palace. They were involved in choosing the colours and styles of these art pieces and that they were very pleased with the results and final product.
- Anon 9:13
oops! the photographer forgot to edit out the sticky tape on Guillaume's coat lapels and Stephanie's neckline!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this can be readily fixed, however. Otherwise the photos are very nice, if somewhat hazy and low definition.The couple's outfits are well-fitting, with Stephanie in a suit that is particularly becoming. Lyra
What is that weird piping on the HGDuke's lapel and also the neckline of her (the HGDuchess) dress? It appears to be there on some of the pictures, and then on others not. I am confused.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. And a great classic dress and colour choice for Princess Stephanie
ReplyDeleteStéphanie is such a beauty! Malin Stenlund
ReplyDeletebeauty, lol
DeleteI agree with you, Malin Stenlund — in my opinion, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie is one of the most beautiful women on the world stage. — Jane
DeleteI agree with you, Malin Stenlund — in my opinion, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie is one of the most beautiful women on the world stage. — Jane
Delete@Anon 22:50 Why? Why was it necessary to make a stupid comment like that?
DeleteGreen is a lovely colour for the princess. The placement of the dart does not seem to be quite right for the undergarment. Still a handsome couple.
ReplyDeleteThe background of these photos is quite odd, as is the gray-colored edging on Guillaume’s lapel and Stephanie’s neckline in some of the pictures.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
Magnifiques portraits ; j'espère que les prochaines seront dans le même style !
ReplyDeleteben non...j'espère qu'ils auront un style "investiture"
DeleteUnverständlich wenn das Paar auch noch Mitsprache haben sollte, wie kann ich mich dann selbst in solchen schrecklichen Bildern präsentieren? Ich mag die Krawatte am Erbherzog nicht, auch nicht diese seltsame Hintergrundgardine. Sitzend wirkt das sehr gestellt auch die angespannten Hände alles sicher schick gedacht, aber so ein wundervolles Paar sollte sich nicht diesem überarbeiteten Unsinn hingeben. Sie wirken sonst stets nahbar und natürlich aber diese Bilder zeigen davon absolut gar nichts. Was ich mag ist die Haarfrisur mit dem kleinen Fransen in die Stirne, so schöne Menschen und dann so ein Unsinn! -Dorothe-
ReplyDeleteWow. I don't remember to have ever seen so badly made portraits of anyone made by a professional photographer. I am quite flabbergasted. The piping is really the last thing that disturbs me.
ReplyDeleteexactly, they look awful
DeleteI agree too.
DeleteCheck Jacques Schneider Instagram #jacques_schneider . It seems like those lines were done on purpose. There's 2sets, one with, one without. The colors vary also.
ReplyDeleteThanks KTeach. For others, go as she says to look at the artist’s instagram. These are not photos but art and he has deliberately changed things, drawn lines, and altered backgrounds. Looking from that context, they’re very cool artwork!
DeleteYes, these are artwork. Artistic flair does not go over well on this site. I appreciate it when the portraits are not carbon copies of all other royal portraiture, generation after generation.
DeleteI agree. Given that they're meant to be an expression of art and not straight-up portrait photos like other royals usually do, I think they're pretty interesting. Different and contemporary. And why not? Times are a-changing and there's so much new technology out there and the artistic possibilities that come with it. It's nice to see creativity in action. Perhaps this, in light of the upcoming succession to the throne, signals a step of the Luxembourgian royal house into a more modern era.
Delete- Anon 9:13
I agree with Anon. 9:13.
DeleteThat is exactly what I was thinking, Anon 9:13. I think they are signaling a modern shift is coming. After all Stephanie is a well known supporter of the arts and artists. I can understand why they chose to have art created of their new portraits.
DeleteAgreed Anon 13:45. The artist does clearly states that both G&S were actively involved with the selection of colours and image styles for this project, and that he is very grateful to them for selecting him and allowing him to do this.
Delete- Anon 9:13
Nice pics, but a little to unreal`. Sad maybe Ann Litowitz will be called in she always does a great job.
ReplyDeletecss
They’re not the best of photographs.
ReplyDeleteI’m unsure what the mist is around each of them. I can’t make out why HGD G has a singular grey strip on his lapel,and HGD S has the same stripe on the curve of the neckline of her dress. Seems odd to release photographs to commemorate his taking the throne. My other gripe is his blue suit. I’m sure he could of splashed out on a newer looking suit. This has me in mind if KC3 of UK. He always wears a light blue striped suit that looks out of shape. The green suit. HGD. I’m looking forward to seeing what designers she’ll turn to to mark the auspicious occasion.
Lowri
First set of photos, that I dislike, NOT because of the people in the photos, but because it is strangely staged, faces are made to look like fake people, no life to them at all, and then the lines that appear/disappear on the clothing, whoever edited this, manufactured this should make an heart felt apology to the royal couple!
ReplyDeleteShe is a natural beauty needs no enhancement. The color of her outfit is beautiful. I love this shade of green.
ReplyDeleteImo she should be less heavy filling in the eyebrows and perhaps reshape to less severe. Otherwise she is a natural beauty that doesn’t need alot of makeup
DeleteI like these pictures. Princess Stephanie is looking particularly good in this fashion green outfit. I've always find green an excellent color for her. Her hair and make-up are perfect and the dark earrings are giving the right amount of contrast. Princes Guillaume is looking good too.
ReplyDeleteSince Princess Stephanie studied art sciences maybe she was the one who has chosen the background together with Jacques Schneider. Not everybody likes a dark background for official photos.
The photos with the lines around the lapels and neckline are not the final product. The person who published the pictures forgot to take them apart or they were so excited to show them that they could not wait until the corrections were done.
Ils ne dégagent rien.
ReplyDeletemilou, toujours des critiques.
DeleteLovely photos/portraits.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I’m wondering if Photoshop do restoration work?
If so, I’m going to give them a call for a quote.
Then I could have a good cleanout of all my half empty jars of anti-rid and other expensive stuff that has never lived up to its promise. 😀
If Stephanie and Guillaume choose this artist to represent them, I am ready to respect their decision. But alas, not everything that is art or declared to be art has to be enjoyable. This also is not a problem, usually. But it could be one, if the object of this art happens to be a grand-ducal couple, first persons and representants of their small country. In this case, I think it is better to choose a more realistic way of imagery, in order to reach preferably everyone. So, art or not: these portraits are, for me, somewhat ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteIf you visit the young artist's IG site, you will see many photos of this project, and understand why he inserted those markings on Guillaume's lapel and Stephanie's neckline. Those are photographic markings that can be coloured in post production (like a green screen), and he has indeed coloured them in the photos to match other elements of his whimsical backgrounds and framing. It's all purely artistic expression. (For whatever reason, the photos above in this post do not show that final coloured effect.) I see that he has also used other post processing effects on Stephanie's dress edges and Guillaume's coat to give a more 'pop art' look to these portraits (think Andy Warhol).
ReplyDeleteHe clearly says how extremely grateful he is to the royal couple for selecting him, and for giving him carte blanche to do as he pleased with this project, over 4 sessions at the ducal palace. They were involved in choosing the colours and the styles of these art creations, and that they were very pleased with the results and final product. (Obviously, or they would never have agreed to release them). This project will stay with him for life and will positively influence all his future art work. He comes across as a very humble and grateful young artist, and I commend G&S for encouraging and supporting him and his work.
- Anon 9:13
Artwork or not - these pictures are failed.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of people on this blog who are not in for something new nobody else did before. If the pictures are not appreciated by the grand ducal couple they will soon have made new pictures. They have still time until the month of October. But like I said, Princess Stéphanie studied arts and Jacques Schneider is an artist, maybe they decided to do something different. It is their ascending to the throne and if they are happy with the portraits it is fine for me too.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you want to acknowledge different tastes (also) in art? Who do you allege that those who don't like it don't want to accept new things? I for one do want to do so, if the result convinces me. Art does not mean that everybody has to like it, or does it for you? I also know that Stephanie is an avid art lover - what does it mean for me, that I have to have the same taste? No way. Someone mentioned Andy Warhol - I accept that he was a famous artist with a wholly new style, but his work does not give me anything. - So let's stop defending our own standpoints and just accept that humans are different.
DeleteThey are a lovely couple but they look faded out in these pictures.
ReplyDeleteAvis mitigé en ce qui me concerne, je suis un peu dubitative car je ne vois pas trop ce que ça apporte de plus. Le style Warhol n'a vraiment pas ma préférence, on l'a trop vu partout. S'ils veulent une touche de modernité pour "dépoussiérer" un décor traditionnel, je les comprends, mais dans ce cas pourquoi choisir tout de même une salle du palais en arrière-plan et cette chaise très "napoléonienne" car tout ça n'a vraiment rien de moderne. Les dorures habituelles sont si ennuyeuses...
ReplyDeleteEt le rajout flouté en bleu et rose est plutôt inutile à mon avis, limite ringard.
Cela aurait été plus intéressant de les faire poser dans un décor contemporain, de type Calder ou Maeght par exemple, ou Frank Lloyd Wright. Ou encore le style Bauhaus ou Taschen, pourquoi pas.
Côté mode, Stéphanie est très bien coiffée. Et je rejoins Janet : moi aussi je préfère Guillaume avec une barbe, ça lui va beaucoup mieux et ça affine son visage. Paloma.
You are completely and classically missing the point of personal art.
DeleteUnless the work is genre based, which this project is clearly not (for example Impressionist, Cubism, Art Deco, Dada, Baroque, etc.) for which there are some qualifying guidelines, personal artistic expression is free from genre, - which this project is. Using the term 'Modern' is useful because itcaptures everything. It is not for anyone to say, "I think he should have done this or that", or "should have used this instead of that", or "this or that is unnecessary", or "should have done it in a style of this artist or that artist". He's not trying to copy a genre. It is the artists choice to freely express their work. The viewers job is to either like it or not, but not to suggest changes or alterations to the artist's creativity.
- Anon 9:13
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