Alina Pyatnova: Three Faces of Majesty

This year at the London Biennale, held at the historic Chelsea Old Town Hall, Ukrainian artist Alina Pyatnova made a striking impression with her symbolic and deeply poetic work, Three Faces of Majesty. Representing Ukraine among artists from over 60 nations, Pyatnova’s piece was more than a portrait—it was a dialogue across time, cultures, and identities.

Created specifically for the Biennale, the work honours the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, portrayed not simply as a sovereign, but as an enduring symbol of dignity, grace, and legacy. Pyatnova captures the Queen’s image in a triptych-like narrative, weaving a visual allegory of human transformation through time.

'What could be more intimate and evocative for the British public than the image of their Queen?' Pyatnova reflects.

The first scene presents a youthful Elizabeth, her elegance delicately emerging from a cushion of lilies of the valley—flowers often associated with purity and renewal. The second phase reveals the Queen in her maturity: poised, dignified, and sculpted by responsibility. The final image—a near-transparent butterfly alighting on a stem—evokes transcendence, the soul in its lightest form. Here, Pyatnova gives form to what is usually intangible: a spirit that endures beyond reign, ritual, or earthly departure.

Despite its dark backdrop, the painting radiates a quiet luminosity. Soft rose tones recall the gentleness of youth; black, rendered with elegance, marks the solemn passage into legacy. For many, the viewing experience became a personal reflection—life unfolding through the lens of someone who shaped a century.

'This is not merely a portrait,' Pyatnova explains. 'It is a conversation in colour and symbol—a visual prose that explores the fleeting nature of time and the eternal nature of the soul.'

The artist sees her work as a cultural bridge—a tribute not only to the Queen, but to the broader role of art in uniting people across borders. With this piece, Ukraine’s artistic voice stands confidently on the world stage—offering perspective, reverence, and an emotional connection that transcends nationality.

Three Faces of Majesty is expected to remain in the United Kingdom as a symbol of cultural diplomacy and the union of the two countries.