Portrait of Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel Unveiled at Bode Museum

Creation of the Portrait

At the end of June, the Bode Museum in Berlin presented for the first time a portrait of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, created by 28-year-old Canadian-French artist Jeremy Keirass. The work was completed over several months, with the artist and politician meeting regularly in his studio in the German capital's government district.

At the unveiling, the 71-year-old Merkel described the collaborative process as a "little adventure" for both of them. During their sessions, they not only worked but also discussed various topics, sometimes remained silent, or listened to classical music, taking turns selecting pieces, according to foreign media reports.

Exhibition and Future Plans

The portrait will be on display at the museum until October of this year, after which it will be placed in the German chancellor's office alongside portraits of previous heads of government.

Keirass revealed that the initiative to create Merkel's portrait was not originally his. Following a friend's suggestion, he sent Merkel a handwritten letter and reproductions of his work in 2022. He received a reply only three years later. During their first meeting, Merkel decided to entrust him with the portrait, even though she had not seen his original works.

The artist admitted that he initially felt insecure about such a responsible task. They discussed the significance of the portrait and why an oil painting can convey more than a photograph. Merkel also warned the artist about possible dissatisfaction from other artists and criticism from far-right circles.

Unusual Financial Aspect

An unusual fact is that Merkel herself paid for the portrait, not the German state. According to German media, this was done so that the painting would remain her property and could be removed from the chancellor's office if necessary.

Depiction of Hands

The artist paid special attention to the depiction of Merkel's hands. During her chancellorship, she became known for her characteristic diamond-shaped hand gesture, but both the author and the model decided to avoid this recognizable pose to prevent a clichéd solution.

Angela Merkel (born 1954) is one of the most influential European politicians. She served as German chancellor from 2005 to 2021, becoming the first woman in the office and one of the longest-serving German heads of government after World War II.