John Meyer exhibition at NHRM - Elizabeth, A Sovereign's Journey

Elizabeth, A Sovereign’s Journey

This exhibition has closed.

The National Horseracing Museum is most grateful to exhibit this series of paintings by John Meyer about Her Majesty The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. This exhibition has been made possible through the generosity of a private lender and support from Arts Council England.

John Meyer is one of South Africa’s leading contemporary realists. Born in 1942, Meyer has put his indelible stamp on the genres of landscape, portraiture and narrative art. Since the early 1990’s Meyer has concentrated on the narrative genre – painting enigmatic figures caught in emotional ambiguities. More recently, he has worked on collections of historical narratives including ‘Lost In The Dust’ about the Anglo Boer War, ‘Mandela, A Life’s Journey’, ‘Migrations’ exploring migrating peoples and immigrants that created the South African nation, and ‘Elizabeth, A Sovereign’s Journey. His most recent work ‘Protect-Our-Planet’ opens June 2022 in London.

John Meyer said of the exhibition:

“It was my original intention to paint a series of works depicting the Queen in informal and unguarded moments, in the company of her family and the things she loves. As it developed, it became apparent that my compositions needed to extend to her life of duty as well, something that is abundantly clear from her unswerving dedication to her people and her country.

I approached it as a narrative of her long life (as far as that is possible in eleven paintings). The challenges were many. Researching early periods of the narrative and linking them in a realistic way, so as to maintain continuity, was especially challenging. To make the series work as a collection of believable episodes, required works of an informal nature, as from a film, to tie it all together.

I feel privileged to have been able to paint this collection, and the many months of immersing myself in this project were particularly satisfying and rewarding.”

Cost of entry to Elizabeth, A Sovereign’s Journey:

Entrance is included within the cost of general admission. This gives you access to all areas including the National Horseracing Museum, Palace House and the Rothschild Yard, where you can meet retired racehorses!

To buy your tickets, click here and choose the date on which you’d like to attend. When you get here, upgrade to an Annual Pass for FREE. This gives you unlimited access for 12 months from the date of your first visit.

Already an existing Annual Pass holder? Head to the shop on arrival to scan your ticket and pick up a day badge.

Why not make a day of it and book a table for lunch at The Tack Room restaurant, or order a picnic from The Bakery to enjoy in our beautiful grounds.