On Board Queen Elizabeth: Art & Memorabilia

Art plays a large part in cruise ship décor and on no ship is it more important than on the new Queen Elizabeth. I’ve only been on board for a day, but I’ve already seen that signature art deco style pieces, such as a mural at the Reception Desk by Academy-Award winner, author, and art deco expert Arnold Schwartzman (above), mingle seamlessly with contemporary art commissioned for the ship, including the 18.5-foot marquetry panel depicting the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth, created by David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon, and Her Majesty The Queen’s only nephew (left). Priceless items from Queen Elizabeth 2 and the original Queen Elizabeth are found throughout the newest Cunard Queen.

Art deco flourishes, wood paneling, intricate mosaics, chandeliers, and cool marbles combine to give Queen Elizabeth a design and personality of her own, but include overtones of the late 1930s when her predecessor, the first Queen Elizabeth, was built. The iconic silver QE2 model created by Asprey of Bond Street, London in the early 1970s (pictured below)—and displayed for many years on QE2—now greets guests at the Yacht Club entrance and is an important highlight of the current Queen Elizabeth’s art collection, demonstrating the enduring history of that famous liner.
Along with memorabilia highlighting the relationship between the three Queen Elizabeth liners and Great Britain’s Royal Family, murals based on the launch ceremonies of the original Queen Elizabeth and QE2 that were painted by Italian artist Diego Bormida, are displayed in Cunard Place, located on Deck 2 near the Queens Room.

A closer look in each public room reveals museum quality paintings and sculptures. For an art lover, it's a floating feast. Additionally, it is a relief that Queen Elizabeth’s fine art program departs from the ubiquitous art auction format with Cunard’s introduction of a partnership with Clarendon Fine Art, one of the most celebrated new galleries in London’s tony Mayfair district.