Annie Leibovitz, renowned for her ability to merge artistry and storytelling, was commissioned in early 2024 to create official portraits of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. The portraits were intended to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Felipe VI’s reign and the twentieth anniversary of his marriage to Queen Letizia. They were unveiled in November 2024 and are currently displayed in Madrid’s Banco de España as part of the exhibition La tiranía de Cronos.
While seemingly honoring the Spanish monarchy, these portraits serve as a masterful example of Leibovitz’s ability to subtly critique power dynamics, gender roles, and societal perceptions. In this case, the images provide a layered commentary on the fragility of the King’s position and the evolving role of the monarchy in contemporary Spain.
Why Annie Leibovitz?
Leibovitz’s selection as the photographer for these portraits is no coincidence. Known for her iconic images of cultural and political figures, Leibovitz brings a unique ability to capture the essence of her subjects while embedding deeper narratives into her work. Over her decades-long career, she has photographed presidents, celebrities, and even monarchs, often imbuing her work with symbolic weight.
In this instance, the choice of Leibovitz reflects an attempt to modernize the image of the Spanish monarchy. The royal family has faced significant challenges in recent years, from controversies involving former King Juan Carlos I to broader public skepticism toward the institution itself. By commissioning an internationally acclaimed photographer, the monarchy likely sought to project a sense of sophistication, modernity, and resilience. However, Leibovitz’s portraits achieve much more than mere flattery; they reveal underlying tensions and vulnerabilities.
The Rococo Setting: A Double-Edged Symbol
The portraits are set against the lavish backdrop of the Salón Gasparini in Madrid’s Royal Palace, a room famously adorned with Rococo-style decorations. Rococo, characterized by its intricate ornamentation, gilded details, and opulent aesthetic, is historically associated with an aristocracy detached from the struggles of ordinary people. It evokes the height of luxury—and excess—at a time when the monarchy’s relevance is increasingly questioned.
By choosing this setting, Leibovitz ties the Spanish royals to a historical legacy of privilege. Yet, the photographs simultaneously suggest a critique: the overwhelming luxury of the Rococo décor risks overshadowing the human subjects. The viewer is reminded not of the monarchs’ leadership but of their entrenchment in a centuries-old tradition that may no longer resonate with modern Spain.
The Portraits Side by Side: Unity in Appearance
When the portraits are displayed side by side, as intended, they create a sense of spatial continuity. The open doors, mirrored reflections, and interplay of light establish a cohesive narrative space, reminiscent of the compositional strategies used by Velázquez in Las Meninas. The theatricality of the setting evokes a sense of ceremony, emphasizing the royals’ institutional role. However, the unity is superficial; a closer analysis of each portrait individually reveals striking contrasts.
Queen Letizia: Elevated by Light and Grace
In her portrait, Queen Letizia is framed by soft, ascending lines of perspective that draw the eye upward. Her black vintage Balenciaga gown contrasts elegantly with the vibrant red fabric draped around her, giving her an almost sculptural presence. Letizia appears poised and luminous, as though emerging from the light itself.
The composition positions her as a figure of grace and strength, a modern queen who commands the room without being swallowed by it. The symbolism of her upward trajectory aligns with her increasing popularity and her perceived role as a unifying and modernizing force within the monarchy.
King Felipe VI: A Monarch on Unsteady Ground
In stark contrast, King Felipe VI’s portrait projects instability and fragility. The lines of perspective in his image tilt downwards, creating the impression that he is precariously balanced on unstable ground. Unlike the Queen, he seems enveloped by the shadows of the room, as though the grandeur of his surroundings weighs heavily upon him. His uniform, while authoritative, fails to counteract the overall sense of unease.
The positioning of the King’s feet further emphasizes this precariousness; there is no visible grounding beneath him, suggesting a lack of direction or support. This visual instability mirrors the real-life challenges Felipe VI faces as a monarch. Public discontent, economic struggles, and political scandals have weakened the monarchy’s standing, leaving the King to navigate a delicate and often hostile environment.
A Connection to Reality: The Incident in Valencia
The tension captured in Felipe VI’s portrait resonates powerfully with a recent event during the royal couple’s visit to Valencia, a region devastated by severe flooding. As the King and Queen met with affected residents, they were met with hostility. Protesters, angered by the perceived inadequacy of governmental responses, threw mud at the King, symbolically “dirtying” his authority. The incident underscored the fragility of the monarchy’s connection to its people, a theme that Leibovitz’s portrait subtly reflects.
Light and Shadow: A Gendered Message
The interplay of light and shadow in these portraits further deepens their meaning. While Queen Letizia is bathed in clarity and brilliance, the King appears shrouded in gloom. This contrast suggests a feminist reading: Letizia, as a modern woman, emerges as a beacon of resilience and relevance, while Felipe VI struggles under the weight of tradition and expectation.
Leibovitz’s mastery lies in her ability to embed such narratives within the formal elements of her work. The Queen’s image celebrates feminine strength, while the King’s portrait critiques the fragility of inherited power.
Beyond the Surface: A Critique of Power
Ultimately, these portraits transcend their function as official images. They serve as a commentary on the evolving role of monarchy in a modern democracy. The Queen, elevated and illuminated, represents adaptability and relevance, while the King, unstable and shadowed, reflects the precariousness of an institution struggling to find its place in contemporary Spain.
By employing the Rococo aesthetic, referencing Velázquez, and carefully manipulating light, perspective, and spatial relationships, Annie Leibovitz has created portraits that are not only visually stunning but also deeply symbolic. These images challenge viewers to consider the legacy, relevance, and future of the Spanish monarchy in a rapidly changing world.
Conclusion
Annie Leibovitz’s portraits of the Spanish royals demonstrate the power of photography to go beyond representation and delve into narrative and critique. While honoring the grandeur of the monarchy, these images subtly expose its fragilities. They remind us that even in the most carefully constructed images, the truth about power, gender, and tradition cannot be entirely hidden.
Excellent article. Compelling photographs and the author’s comments helped me understand why I was questioning what I was looking at. No other medium could have achieved quite what we are witnessing. I wonder whether the participants were unaware of what is inherent and projected in these compositions. Did they imagine they are just simple representations ? Fascinating
Thank you, Rebecca, for your thoughtful comment. We completely agree—photography, with its intrinsic connection to reality, holds a unique power to both illuminate and challenge our understanding of what we see. In the post, we’ve suggested that Leibovitz may be engaging in a subtle critique of power through a feminist lens. While we’re confident in this interpretation, we recognize there’s room for nuance. One could argue that the imagery might also function as a calculated move—whether to provoke debate, bolster the Spanish monarchy’s fragile popularity, or even amplify the photographer’s own cultural standing.
That said, we believe the participants are fully aware of the stakes involved in these compositions. These are not accidental gestures but deliberate contributions to a larger visual narrative. What remains undeniable is that this photograph is a masterclass in how Leibovitz transforms the language of photography, imbuing it with her distinctive style to create something both evocative and deeply thought-provoking.