David Hockney, who once turned down the chance to paint the monarch because he was too busy, is to design a stained glass window in Westminster Abbey to celebrate the Queen’s reign.
The renowned painter said he has “planned a landscape full of blossom that’s a celebration every year”.
The 20ft (6.1m) x 6ft (1.8m) window in the abbey’s north transept will be known as The Queen’s Window.
“We’re as interested as everyone else to see what he comes up with.” Westminster Abbey on Hockney window design
The tall 20ft x 6ft window – one of the church’s few remaining clear ones – will be known as The Queen’s Window and is in the north transept of the gothic Abbey.
The cost is being covered by two anonymous benefactors.
Westminster Abbey said Hockney would largely have artistic control – but be given guidance from the Dean and Chapter and the Westminster Abbey Fabric Commission who deal with changes to the historic building.
An Abbey spokesman said: “He’s given a very elliptical hint. We’re as interested as everyone else to see what he comes up with. He will have pretty much free rein because he’s David Hockney.”
The spokesman added: “The Queen is certainly aware of the proposal and there will be continual briefings from us.”
Hockney no longer too busy for Royal commission
Although the Bradford-born Hockney will design the window, it will be transferred into stained glass by the Barley Studio in York, who will work closely with him.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, came up with the idea of approaching Hockney to help celebrate the Queen’s reign.
In 2011 Hockney turned down a request to paint the Queen saying she would make a “terrific subject” but he prefers to paint people he knows. “When I was asked I told them I was very busy painting England actually. Her country,” he said.
He finally painted the monarch in 2012, composing an image of the Diamond Jubilee river pageant on an iPad as he watched it on TV.
His piece showed the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as tiny figures with their backs to the viewer as they headed towards Tower Bridge on the royal barge.
60s Pop Art pioneer sought by establishment
Hockney burst on to the scene in the early 1960s as one of the leaders of British pop art – and over the years has extended his talents to work as a photographer, draughtsman, printmaker and stage designer. His works sell for up to $5m.
The artist accepted the commission after travelling from his LA home in the summer to be shown the window by the Dean. Dr Hall said he was delighted with the plan.
Dr Hall added: “It will be wonderful to have in the Abbey the work of this internationally-renowned contemporary British artist who has been honoured by The Queen with membership of the Order of Merit, which is in Her Majesty’s personal gift.”
Elizabeth II marked her 90th birthday this year and last year became the nation’s longest reigning monarch.
