Merkel sits for first female portrait in German Chancellery's leaders' gallery, painted by unknown 28-year-old

Portrait commission and the artist

Five years after leaving office, Angela Merkel has sat for a portrait that will join the Ahnengalerie in Berlin's Federal Chancellery. The artist chosen is Jérémy Queyras, a 28-year-old previously little-known painter. Queyras had applied informally with a handwritten letter in 2022, but Merkel only decided in June 2025 after an initial meeting. The weekly newspaper Die Zeit exclusively followed the entire process.

The sitting

Since summer 2025, Queyras met Merkel repeatedly in a specially set up, secret studio in Berlin. The former chancellor stood for the painting, unlike her male predecessors who posed seated. She wore a blue blazer. The canvas measures 110 by 140 centimetres, slightly larger than those of Gerhard Schröder and Helmut Kohl. Merkel paid for the materials and the artist's fee herself; no sum was disclosed.

“It's strange when you slowly become history.”

Symbolism in the painting

The portrait includes several references to Merkel's time in office: a table with loose papers, a yellow document folder, and a silver cube engraved with 'In der Ruhe liegt die Kraft' – a gift she received at her inauguration. The work is a loan, not a gift; Merkel told Die Zeit she could withdraw it from the Chancellery should a right-wing extremist ever become head of government.

A gallery of chancellors

The Ahnengalerie on the first floor of the Chancellery displays painted portraits of every post-war German chancellor. The idea originated with Helmut Schmidt, who was painted by Bernhard Heisig. Later chancellors followed: Helmut Kohl by Albrecht Gehse, Gerhard Schröder by his friend Jörg Immendorff. When Schröder's portrait was unveiled in 2007, he teased Merkel: 'There is still a little space next to me. No one knows when you will hang beside me.' Now that space will be filled.

“There is still a little space next to me. No one knows when you will hang beside me.”

Public debut and display

The portrait will be presented on Tuesday, 30 June, at the Bode-Museum in Berlin. From 1 July to 4 October, visitors can view it at the museum, according to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. Afterwards, it will move to its permanent place in the Chancellery's gallery.