HONOLULU (Island News) – A portrait of Princess Virginia Kapo’oloku Po’omaikelani, Princess and Governor of Hawaii Island, has returned for the public to view at Iolani Palace after undergoing restoration.
The unveiling of the portrait was marked with a cultural protocol ceremony that was led by members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.
The portrait was painted in 1885 by Serbian artist Paul Petrovits and was one of three commissioned by King Kalakaua, including himself, his wife Queen Kapi’olani, and the Queen’s sister, Po’omaikelani.
“She’s been in our care for decades, but this is the first time in many years she’s been on display following conservation. It’s an important moment, as this portrait was created during a significant era in our kingdom’s history,” said Iolani Palace Curator Leona Hamano.
The Po’omaikelani portrait was returned in 1972 and has been part of the Palace collection since then. About a year ago, it was sent for professional conservation and now hangs in the King’s bedroom…