Beyoncé's Iconic Vogue Cover Photo Will Hang in the National Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery is home to paintings and photographs of famous authors, inventors, business geniuses, civil rights activists, and former Presidents of the United States. And now, Beyoncé will take her rightful place among the greats.
According to Lonely Planet, a portrait of the superstar will soon hang in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. as part of the museum’s permanent collection.
The portrait features Beyoncé leaning on a pedestal with flowers wearing a gold Valentino dress and a golden, sun-like crown designed by Philip Treacy, all set against a gold backdrop. Queen Bey never looked so regal.
Photographer Tyler Mitchell shot this iconic and history-making image for Vogue’s September 2018 issue, according to CBS. Mitchell was personally chosen by the singer and became the first black photographer to shoot a cover for the magazine. Mitchell shared this incredible news on Twitter earlier in August.
A year ago today we broke the flood gates open
Now I’m glad to share this picture is being acquired into the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection pic.twitter.com/T97rHU9u8J— Tyler Mitchell (@Tyler_Mitchell_) August 6, 2019
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery chooses portraits of people who shape and contribute to the American national identity to hang in its permanent collection. Associate Curator of Photographs, Dr. Leslie Ureña, said in a statement, “We are delighted to acquire this magnificent portrait of Beyoncé,” CBS reported.
Ureña also said in the statement that the portrait addition will “allow us to document a significant shift in the history of fashion photography through the depiction of a key figure in American culture,” Lonely Planet reported.
According to the National Portrait Gallery Twitter account, there is currently no date given for the exhibit debut, but the museum will “keep everyone posted.” In the meantime, the museum encourages people to visit them to see their current Beyoncé portrait – a poster for the singer’s Dangerously In Love album.
We'll be sure to keep everyone posted when the portrait goes up but we hope you'll visit us in the meantime to see another Beyoncé portrait: https://t.co/YLpBsbIhNf (we're free!) pic.twitter.com/CSGcCnHxzs
— National Portrait Gallery (@smithsoniannpg) August 6, 2019
The new portrait will be an excellent addition to the gallery, which holds other portraits of some of the best figures in history and pop culture, including some of Beyoncé’s personal friends.
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery is also home to the iconic portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The museum itself is completely free to visit and is open every day (save some holidays). More information about the museum can be found on the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery website.
