tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post7621383877147625360..comments2023-06-13T08:29:39.914+00:00Comments on MAKING A MARK: National Gallery hangs new Tony Blair portrait Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-30782207183246687992013-12-21T20:24:13.301+00:002013-12-21T20:24:13.301+00:00Hi Katherine, you may have thought from my comment...Hi Katherine, you may have thought from my comment that I didn't like the portrait, complete opposite actually. It isn't the standard fair of official portraits and captures an essence of Tony Blair that is only just below the surface that I personally feel. The other odd thing about the portrait are the teeth, for some reason that always has a odd effect on a portrait, so maybe a combination of the teeth and glare of the eyes I am responding plus, of course, my own feeling about him.<br /><br />I also liked the other painting you linked to as it does seem to convey a feeling of 'where did it all go wrong' about it with a sense of resignation and tiredness. Obviously I am seeing it from a website so not getting a true feeling for it in situ. Is the head too big? It doesn't seem to be.<br /><br />However there is another painting of Blair by Jonathan Yeo, which is more in the Duchess of Cambridge territory. That in itself doesn’t make it a bad portrait (if only I could capture a likeness like that) but it’s bland and doesn’t make you feel anything about the person. The sketchiness of the portrait adds to that and seems like it's being tolerated by the sitter. OK then, let's get this over and done with and apparently, that was exactly what happened. I feel sorry for the artist when the sitter does not allow them at least a few sessions together as it hard to know a person from a few hours. Then, of course, if its a well known figure, you will have some pre-conceived ideas about that person. To be honest, its a dis-service to the artist and the sitter themselves when that happens. <br /><br />Just because a painting is technically good, doesn’t make it a good piece of work.<br /> <br />I suspect the 2 portraits by Alastair Adams and Phil Hale will stand the test of time, as people will respond to what they find in the portrait, good or bad. That is what a work of art should do, provoke a response. Jonathan Yeo's work will be remembered because it was the first offical portrait Mr Blair allowed to be done. <br /><br />Yep! Glad I am not a portrait artist. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-12826529485646704462013-12-21T10:02:51.221+00:002013-12-21T10:02:51.221+00:00This is not the first portrait of Blair to be pain...This is not the first portrait of Blair to be painted.<br /><br />This is the Daily Mail on the portrait commissioned by the House of Commons for the parliamentary art collection and unveiled in 2008.<br />http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1016614/Grin-Blair-Tony-Blair-parliament-bucking-convention--wearing-tie.html <br /><br />The work was painted by former U.S. comic-book illustrator Phil Hale who the Daily Mail characterise as "a prizewinning artist and highly regarded National Portrait Gallery exhibitor."<br /><br />The Daily Mail commented as follows<br /><br /><i>It is entirely convincing, if unexciting. Sadly Blair looks to have assumed the dull, unrevealing look of concentration many adopt when sitting for a portrait. <br />This kills any work stone dead. It is not revealing of his state of mind though the sombreness and the concentration may perhaps signify disappointment.</i><br /><br />Sadly it would appear no portrait artist ever has a chance of producing a portrait without everybody else thinking they know how it could have been painted better.<br /><br />Having read some of the newspaper comments from the public I'm reminded of some of the very cruel comments about the Duchess of Cambridge's portrait. I'm now beginning to wonder whether passing cruel comments on a portrait and/or a sitter and/or portrait artist is some new form of 'national sport'.<br /><br />What does that say about us as a nation?<br /><br />Let's not forget the comment usually says far more about the person who comments than it ever does about the portrait.Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-32303168509062630942013-12-21T09:44:34.244+00:002013-12-21T09:44:34.244+00:00From The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/artan...From The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/dec/20/tony-blair-portrait-national-portrait-gallery-alastair-adams<br /><br /><i>"Without a tie – naturally – Blair is shown in dramatic pose looking directly at the viewer. Sarah Howgate, the NPG's contemporary curator, said: "The direct gaze of the sitter is uncompromising but also reflects his considerable skill as a negotiator on the world stage."</i>Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-85311851422126785012013-12-21T09:42:52.557+00:002013-12-21T09:42:52.557+00:00From the Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/...From the Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/national-gallery-unveils-uncompromising-portrait-of-tony-blair-by-alastair-adams-9018051.html<br /><br /><i>"a dramatic close-up of Mr Blair who is remembered for transforming the Labour Party, initiating vast public sector reform, negotiating the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland and taking the country into bloody conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan."</i>Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20645140.post-87079006173321441952013-12-21T02:23:25.432+00:002013-12-21T02:23:25.432+00:00seems to capture him perfectly- never liked the ma...seems to capture him perfectly- never liked the man to be honest. There is a nastiness about him that the artist seems to have captured very well. Those glaring eyes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com