Laszlo Philip de Lombos

This quiet painter liked to sneak behind the scenes at royal parties, sketching the queen when she wasn’t looking. He caught her reading a book instead of sitting stiffly for her portrait, which probably saved the painting from looking like a stiff photo. Hunt down Portretul Reginei Maria and you’ll see what I mean—she’s mid-sip, half-smile, and the room feels like she’s about to stand up and walk out.