Political figures' favourite works from the Government Art Collection – in pictures

Lucian Freud Painting the Queen (2001) by David Dawson Picked by Peter Mandelson and Nick Clegg The greatest living British artist portrays the greatest living British monarch in this photograph and we probably do not need to speculate about reborn royalism to understand why both Mandelson and Clegg like it Photograph: Government Art Collection Tea (1970–71) by David Tingle Picked by Nick Clegg The deputy prime minster is profoundly depressed if his taste in art is anything to go by. Who but a bruised, disheartened and despondent character would be drawn to this soporific image of a comforting Thermos flask? Seriously, this looks like Clegg is experiencing a long dark teatime of the soul. Poor bastard Photograph: Government Art Collection Queen Elizabeth I by an unknown artist Picked by Peter Mandelson I've got to admit that Mandelson's choices from the royal collection impress me the most, not least because – funnily enough given his reputation – they seem completely devoid of spin. This is simply a beautiful and historically fascinating work and one of the real pearls of the Government Art Collection Photograph: Government Art Collection Reflection (1982) by Bridget Riley Picked by John Sawers Fizzing and flaming with acid life, Riley's wonderful painting would make anyone's office day go quicker. The latest growth statistics probably seem completely unworrying if you stare at this for a while Photograph: Government Art Collection Arabian Night, Cairo (1876) by Albert Goodwin Picked by John Sawers In these days of Arab revolution it might be reassuring for those who have to keep up with events to dream of the days when the world stood still to be painted, and ruled Photograph: Government Art Collection Still Love You Margate (2006) by Tracey Emin Picked by Ed Vaizey Pushing the point that contemporary art and Toryism are compatible, minister for culture, Ed Vaizey , selects two works by Cameron-friendly Tracey Emin of which this melancholy memory of Margate is the most haunting. A bit of a cynical choice (is this really the art he loves?) but an astute one – Emin at her best Photograph: Government Art Collection I wonder what my heroes think of the space race (1962) by Derek Boshier Picked by Anne Pringle This relic of an earlier age of pop art offers a perspective on what future generations will make of contemporary works in the Government Art Collection – many will seem silly, but good works such as this will stand as monuments to their time Photograph: Government Art Collection Jazz Fans (1928–9) by Edward Burra Picked by Paul Boateng A lovely choice by Boateng of a typically edgy and brittle drawing by the British surrealist fellow-traveller whose distant, often grotesque views of his times drip with discomfort and satire Photograph: Government Art Collection Peas are the new beans (1999) by Bob and Roberta Smith Picked by Paul Boateng This kind of glib, 'me too' purchase of British contemporary art shows the Government Art Collection at its worst, attempting to get down with the kids by chasing after an artist who will look minor to future generations, and looks minor now. Shame on selector Boateng Photograph: Government Art Collection Homme Libellule II by Elisabeth Frink Picked by Samantha Cameron The British 20th-century sculptor Elisabeth Frink is exactly the kind of home-grown modernist currently being rediscovered by exhibitions and new venues such as The Hepworth Wakefield , so Samantha Cameron's fashionable retro-modernist choice is so tasteful it makes me yawn Photograph: Government Art Collection Lancashire Fair ... (1946) by LS Lowry Picked by Samantha Cameron Northern voters who are disaffected by Coalition cuts and likely to suffer most from economic stagnation are perhaps unlikely to be bought off by the fact that Samantha Cameron likes LS Lowry Photograph: Government Art Collection