After Polarizing King Charles III Portrait, Jonathan Yeo Paints David Attenborough

The Royal Society has revealed a new painting of Sir David Attenborough created by artist Jonathan Yeo. Yeo previously received criticism for his painting of King Charles III.

The Attenborough portrait celebrates the British naturalist and TV presenter's membership to the Royal Society. The painting features Attenborough wearing a polo shirt, sitting in front of a green backdrop and making direct eye contact with the viewer. According to the Royal Society, his hands are clasped around his knee, indicating that he is actively involved in a conversation.

Yeo mentioned in a statement that he selected a "vague, nature-inspired green backdrop, giving the impression that he is stepping out from one of the numerous environments he has filmed throughout his professional journey."

"I was very honored to become a fellow of the Royal Society more than 40 years ago and having my portrait painted by the talented Jonathan Yeo for the Society's valuable collection is truly remarkable," Attenborough stated.

The painting was revealed during a small gathering attended by Attenborough and Sir Adrian Smith, the president of the Royal Society, on June 25. It was later showcased on the BBC in a live interview with the artist.

The well-known painter is highly respected for creating portraits of members of royalty and famous people. Some of the notable individuals he has painted include Queen Camila, Prince Philip, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and renowned artist Damien Hirst.

People who want to see the painting of Attenborough can check it out at the Royal Society beginning on July 2 during the national science academy's summer science exhibition.

Yeo's latest artwork of King Charles III has received a lot of attention, but not for positive reasons. The huge painting shows the King dressed in a Welsh Guards uniform, holding a sword and looking straight at the viewer. The background is mostly shades of red and pink, with only the King's face and hands carefully painted. To top it off, there is a monarch butterfly hovering above the King's shoulder.

Author Danielle Cohen noted in an article on The Cut that Charles's appearance could be likened to a ghostly figure of death amidst dramatic brush strokes. Comments on various social media platforms were even more direct, with some comparing the artwork to the "Archdemon of Hell" or Satan, suggesting Charles was immersed in blood, or surrounded by the aftermath of the British Empire.