Rowling does not often make public appearances

The writer, who rarely makes public appearances, posed twice for artist Stuart Pearson Wright at her mansion in Perthshire.

The artwork shows Rowling in a room with distorted perspective sitting at a table and eating a boiled egg and toast soldiers.

BP Portrait Award winner Mr Wright has also painted the Duke of Edinburgh.

His unusual take on Prince Philip showed him bare-chested with a fly on his shoulder and cress on his fingertip.

I have to say it is quite unnerving to see yourself presented like this and to stand here and recognise it as me J K Rowling

As she unveiled the portrait of herself, Rowling said: "This genuinely is the first time that I have seen this and I love it. I have to say it is quite unnerving to see yourself presented like this and to stand here and recognise it as me.

"But this shows more of me than any photo has ever shown. Stuart and I had the most incredible laughs doing this and of course I am delighted and honoured to be here in the National Portrait Gallery Collection."

Three boiled eggs on a plate symbolise the Potter author's three children.

Mr Pearson Wright said: "I was drawn to Jo principally because of my admiration for a woman who can successfully combine motherhood and a creative career.