Angela Merkel’s official portrait, painted by Jeremie Queyras, has been unveiled at Berlin’s Bode Museum.

Angela Merkel, Germany’s former chancellor, attended the unveiling of her official portrait at Berlin’s Bode Museum on Tuesday. The painting, created by German-French artist Jeremie Queyras, depicts Merkel standing in a blue blazer. Measuring 110 by 140 centimeters, the artwork will remain on display at the museum until October 4 before being transferred to the Chancellor’s Gallery in the Federal Chancellery, where it will join portraits of previous German leaders.

Merkel, who served as chancellor for 16 years, expressed mixed emotions about the honor. Reflecting on her legacy, she remarked, “It’s strange to slowly become part of history,” but added, “I’ll just hang there, then.” The 71-year-old commissioned and paid for the portrait herself, ensuring ownership of the piece. Both its display at the Bode Museum and its future placement in the Chancellery are considered temporary loans.

Queyras, a 28-year-old artist known for his oil paintings and performance art, spent months working on the portrait. Merkel posed for him multiple times in a specially arranged Berlin studio. According to reports, Queyras informally approached Merkel in 2022, expressing his interest in creating her portrait. After initial meetings, Merkel chose Queyras for the project in June 2025. Born in Les Lilas, France, and raised in Freiburg, Germany, Queyras now resides in Berlin.

The Chancellor’s Gallery, where Merkel’s portrait will be displayed, was established by former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. It serves as a visual record of Germany’s political leadership. While Merkel’s portrait will soon take its place among her predecessors, a painting of her successor, Olaf Scholz, has yet to be commissioned.

This unveiling marks a significant moment in Merkel’s post-political life, highlighting her enduring influence on Germany’s history. The portrait not only captures her iconic image but also symbolizes her transition from active politics to a historical figure. Visitors to the Bode Museum have a limited opportunity to view the artwork before it moves to its permanent home in the Chancellery.