In September 2024, an artist was commissioned to paint the portrait of an 86-year-old man who had long desired a formal depiction of himself. Motivated in part by a renewed interest sparked by watching a portrait competition series, the client sought to capture a likeness that reflected more than just physical appearance.
The artist, who had been accepting painting commissions for several years, initially expected a straightforward process: receive a photograph, produce a conventional painted portrait, and complete the work with minimal fuss. However, the sitter requested that the portrait be painted in person, necessitating travel from London to Reading and direct interaction—something the artist found challenging. More importantly, the client expressed a desire to be "captured" in a way that went beyond typical representation.
Both the painter and the subject shared a common difficulty in perceiving their own images, a factor that complicated the project. For portrait artists, self-reflection is usually a fundamental part of the craft, but the artist described this as a fraught experience marked by fixation on perceived flaws. The same applied to the sitter, whose mental image of himself conveyed qualities that the initial portrait failed to represent.
After completing a head-to-elbow composition over the course of a week, the artist sent an early image to the sitter, who responded with detailed criticism. He felt the portrait did not resemble him and lacked the kindness and wisdom he saw in his own eyes, alongside fuller hair and a brighter smile. A second version was created with more flattering features, but the client found this too idealized, sensing it was overly softened or "yassified," and remained dissatisfied.
Recognizing the need for a different approach, the artist engaged the sitter in conversations to better understand his life, personality, and self-perception. The man revealed himself as a romantic storyteller, a lover of detective and historical fiction, and occasionally prone to embellishing his own narratives. This deeper engagement turned the portrait into a collaborative work, blending the sitter’s self-image with the artist’s interpretation.
The final painting reflected subtle changes informed by these discussions, with a slightly more impish smile and eyes imbued with a glint suggestive of the sitter’s character. Unfortunately, the man passed away before seeing the finished piece. The artist found solace in having shared a work-in-progress that had brought the client joy and took this experience as an exploration of the complex relationship people have with their own appearances.
The project highlighted the tension between how individuals perceive themselves and how others perceive them, underscoring the idea that identity is fluid and multifaceted. The artist reflected that despite physical changes over time, the essence of a person remains, and the desire to control how one is seen may be ongoing but inherently incomplete.
The portrait, titled "Portrait of a Tom as a Young Neenan," was presented at Underbelly, George Square, Edinburgh, during August 2024.