Honouring His Majesty the late King as the Supreme Artist he was formally designated during his lifetime, the Thai edition of GQ magazine has reprinted portraits of him by 50 leading Thai artists in a special supplement included in its November issue. The magazine costs Bt100.
The cover belongs to Thailand’s foremost portrait artist, Sakwut Wisetmanee, whose wonderful painting done earlier this year depicts the young King sitting regally on a sofa wearing a neat suit. Original Sakwut royal portraits routinely command up to Bt1 million.
Among the marvels inside is a piece by Suradej Kaewthamai showing His Majesty playing piano. The bright yellow background sets off the lush, tumbling colours of a garden of flowers that encircle the scene, a characteristic of the artist’s work.
Ruengsak Harithaithavorn puts his uncanny super-realistic talent to startling use in “The Throne”, capturing the moment on June 9, 1946, the 19-year-old Bhumibol became King Rama IX.
In “The Master (NYC) No 11”, Jitsing Somboon offers a woodblock likeness of the King in uniform. And, for a more modern perspective, Kongpat Sakdapitak has formed a collage of four vivid portraits that recall Andy Warhol’s pop-art pictures.