Artist in Residence, The Gentlemen at Arms, St. James’s Palace, 2009

Jeremy Houghton’s tenure as artist-in-residence at St James’s Palace marked the commencement of an exceptional and transformative chapter in his artistic career, one that opened doors to prestigious future commissions, including at Highgrove House and ultimately at Windsor Castle. This journey not only deepened Houghton’s personal connection with the British Royal Family but also provided him with unparalleled access to the rich tapestry of royal traditions, ceremonies, and historical institutions that are seldom witnessed by the public or even the broader art world. His residencies formed a series of interlinked engagements that allowed him to contribute to the visual narrative of the British monarchy in a way few artists have had the privilege to achieve.

The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms: Guardians of the Monarch

At the heart of Houghton’s residency at St James’s Palace was his immersion in the activities of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, a regiment with an illustrious history that stretches back over five centuries. Established by King Henry VIII in 1509, the Corps remains the oldest military regiment in the world, entrusted with the ceremonial duty of serving as the personal bodyguard to the reigning monarch. Their enduring role as guardians of the Crown imbues them with a unique historical significance, and their distinctive uniforms—richly adorned with swan-plumed helmets, medieval battle-axes, and elaborate ceremonial dress—provided Houghton with a wealth of visual inspiration. The meticulous preparation for their quincentenary, a rare milestone in the regiment’s storied existence, allowed Houghton an extraordinary degree of access to the Corps, enabling him to capture their pageantry and discipline in a series of intimate and evocative works.

Houghton’s residency enabled him to observe the Corps at close quarters as they performed their duties during official events, including the impressive ceremonies surrounding their 500th anniversary. The artistic result was a nuanced portrayal of not only their physical presence but also the symbolic power and historical continuity they represented. The regiment’s role, however, extends beyond the ceremonial; their disciplined presence within the very fabric of the monarchy speaks to the continued relevance of tradition in modern royal life, a theme that Houghton subtly emphasized throughout his work.

St James’s Palace: A Historic Royal Residence

The residency at St James’s Palace provided Houghton with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with one of Britain’s oldest and most historically significant royal residences. Built by Henry VIII in the 1530s, St James’s Palace has been the backdrop to countless momentous royal events over the centuries, including state functions, royal weddings, and the residences of various monarchs. Although no longer the principal royal residence, St James’s remains an active and vital hub for official engagements, providing a profound historical context for Houghton’s artistic exploration.

Throughout his time at St James’s, Houghton’s presence within the Palace was as much about understanding the intangible sense of continuity that permeates the space as it was about painting its formal elements. His commission to capture the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in the lead-up to their quincentenary was more than an artistic endeavour; it was a meticulous documentation of a living tradition. This residency, which offered unprecedented access to the Palace’s ceremonial functions, ultimately culminated in the creation of a body of work that not only commemorated the Corps’ historic role but also acted as a tribute to the broader legacy of royal service and duty within the British monarchy.

Gents in the Gents

A Commemorative Honour and New Horizons

The fruits of Houghton’s residency at St James’s Palace were recognized in a moment of great significance when Her Majesty The Queen personally honoured the Corps of Gentlemen at Arms with a commemorative riband in recognition of their five centuries of loyal service. This moment marked the culmination of the artist’s work within the Palace and also served as a bridge to future commissions within the royal sphere. The recognition bestowed upon Houghton’s work by the royal family brought him to the attention of other members of the royal household, particularly His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and led directly to an invitation to undertake a residency at Highgrove House.

At Highgrove, Houghton’s focus shifted from the ceremonial to the personal. There, he explored new dimensions of royal life, from the Prince’s commitment to environmental sustainability to his stewardship of the countryside. The access and artistic freedom granted to Houghton at Highgrove added another layer to his evolving exploration of British royal life and heritage. But it was his subsequent residency at Windsor Castle that allowed Houghton to engage most directly with the longstanding traditions of the monarchy’s equestrian legacy, providing him with a profound artistic challenge and a deeper connection to the heart of royal heritage.

A Royal Circuit: From St James’s to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral, and Windsor

Houghton’s work at St James’s Palace and subsequent royal residencies were not confined to a single location. As part of his role with the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, he followed the regiment to their various engagements throughout the year, painting at key royal sites including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral, Windsor Castle, and the House of Lords. This extensive exposure to multiple iconic royal locations allowed Houghton to create a vast and varied body of work that transcended the boundaries of any single palace or ceremony.

Each of these locations offered unique challenges and opportunities for Houghton. Buckingham Palace, with its grandeur and ceremonial significance, provided the artist with an opportunity to capture the symbolic power of the monarchy. Westminster Cathedral, as the site of important state and religious functions, demanded a different approach, focusing more on the interplay of the sacred and the secular in royal life. Windsor Castle, with its centuries-old legacy as a symbol of British continuity, allowed Houghton to explore the theme of heritage and the personal connection between the Queen and her royal estate. Finally, the House of Lords, with its political and historical weight, offered the artist a platform to explore the intersection of royal power and the legislative process.

Artistic Legacy and Continuity

Houghton’s time as artist-in-residence within the royal sphere is part of a broader tradition that includes a number of renowned artists who have been granted similar access. The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, for instance, has attracted the attention of other notable artists, including the likes of Sir Thomas Lawrence and, more recently, Mark Rylance, whose works have similarly explored themes of duty, honour, and tradition within the royal context. Yet Houghton’s work stands out for its deep personal engagement with both the formal and informal dimensions of royal life, as well as his ability to blend historical awareness with contemporary sensibility.

The artistic journey that began at St James’s Palace has led Houghton through a range of royal residences, each contributing to a body of work that reflects his growing understanding of the monarchy’s evolving relationship with tradition, ceremony, and the natural world. His residencies at Highgrove and Windsor Castle further allowed him to engage with the monarchy’s ongoing commitment to preserving both its heritage and its environmental future. Through his brushstrokes, Jeremy Houghton has not only captured a living, breathing history, but also continues to shape the visual identity of the British royal family for future generations.

To see more paintings from this collection click here.