Rideau Hall

Every representative of the Queen in Canada, as the in-house Head of State, standing in for the Monarch, has his or her official portrait painted, just as each Prime Minister of Canada has his (and one brief 'her') official painting commissioned and hung in an appropriate gallery; in the former instance within the walls of the Governor-General's official residence, in the latter, the House of Parliament.

Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General of Canada is hugged by portrait artist Karen Bailey, left, following the official unveiling by current Governor General David Johnston. Photograph by: Wayne Cuddington , Ottawa Citizen

 

Michaelle Jean was a figure unpretentious in some ways, and exceedingly and ostentatiously pretentious in others.  While she seemed to misunderstand that her temporary reign in office was not quite that of Head of State, but rather as a representative within Canada appointed to act for the real Head of State who is the Queen of England and the Commonwealth, her natural ebullience and obvious love of people more or less leavened that obdurate miscue.

There were questions about her allegiance to Canada, along with that of her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafonde, in their dalliance with the rebellious Quebecois fixation on separation and sovereignty.  There was pictorial and anecdotal evidence of their having been absorbed within and absorbed with support of the sovereigntists.  Despite which, she was chosen, a Haitian-Canadian, with a journalist background, hard on the heels of the departing Adrienne Clarkson, also a journalist.

That said, Michaelle Jean as half of a vice-regal pair, did Canada very well indeed.  Like her predecessor she was a credit to Canada, while never forgetting her native Haiti.  She travelled, representing Canada, and she welcomed high-ranking visitors to Canada as the Queen's representative.  She was placed in fairly strenuous political quandary on several occasions, making decisions that few other Governors-General had been faced with, as a result of Parliamentary dilemmas.

The painting that she requested as a commission does not reflect the rigid sobriety and formality of most other such portraits.  She was quite specific in informing the artist of her choice that she wanted to be shown among people, doing her duty, performing the purpose of the station she had been elevated into.  And this is what the painting portrays.  She is the central figure, surrounded by her family, by those whom she served.

Throughout her years in her post, representing the country and its military, she acquitted herself with grace, composure and intelligence.  Good for her, good for us.  A woman of distinction, intelligence and regal bearing.