Portraits of Women of Exceptional Talent
What is inside London’s National Portrait Gallery?
The National Portrait Gallery in London, off of Trafalgar Square is a must-see experience for art lovers. It was a long time coming for me to explore the artistic gems housed within the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) and finally, I made it in after walking past it for so many years. There is a plethora of exhibits from early Tudor portraits of English royalty to self-preserved face casts, to modern photographic portraits of famous entertainers. The gallery is just the right amount of extensive without draining and exhausting you as you walk through the passages of history.
Now more than ever, celebrating women’s success stories has been enormously encouraging to make the world a better and more inclusive space. There I found out that the NPG has been working on an evolving project to bring important women (famous or lesser-known) to the forefront of culture. “In partnership with the CHANEL Culture Fund, Reframing Narratives: Women in Portraiture is a three-year project, which aims to enhance the representation of women in the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection and highlight the often-overlooked stories of individual women who have shaped British history and culture.”
From paintings to mysterious photographs, self-portraits and excerpts of fashion editorials, the diversity of female power and beauty is exceptional. We see celebrities on our screens all the time, but seeing them on a wall right in front of you is a different feeling. I felt like the lack of the digital barrier, no small screen and not having to immediately scroll next with my neck hooked over my screen, made me feel a little closer to the idol, whose pose, beauty, and expression are captured in a moment in time that can never be redone. I thought to myself, wow, women are the ultimate muse, the ultimate depiction of beauty, mystery, and charisma. A story, a secret, a thought. It does even matter how successful and popular the muse is, whether she is traditionally attractive or not, I feel like women should not shy away from having our portraits taken. Even take selfies, do photoshoots, dress up or down, or pose for others; I think putting yourself out there is a form of self-love. Let others see you. Even if you are the one behind the lens or easel. Let it be known that you too can make a mark.
I saw little girls ogling at the portraits, and students on field trips taking pictures by the murals. That made me realise how important art is for shaping people’s knowledge, imagination, appreciation for the arts and the meaning behind it. Therefore I think “Reframing Narratives,” is a wonderful venture, one that celebrates and inspires women. If we don’t celebrate and support one another, then no one will. When the worlds framework was shaped by men, that meant that women had to pull their strings and do some heavy lifting over many decades to make some changes that benefited them too.
Here is a rundown of 10 works of art I saw at the NPG that frame women of exceptional talent. Trailblazers, award winners, those who challenged the status quo, subverted rules and downright left a lasting mark on history and culture. Without further ado please take in the sheer charm of the excellence of British women.
1. Work in Progress by Women 2021–2022
Upon entering the National Portrait Gallery, we instantly are welcomed by a mural of a collage of influential women. The piece called “Work In Progress” is a collage of handmade prints, stencils and cutouts of 130 women. From Kate Moss to J.K Rowling, to Adwoa Aboah. This seven-panel mural is a puzzle piece and a “Wheres Waldo,” worth standing in front of and taking your time spotting each woman. Each idol was created by a single woman who dedicated her time to the greater effort of the project. I think that is a beautiful thing. Women commemorating other women.
2. Amy Winehouse ‘Amy-Blue’ by Marlene Dumas 2011
This oil on canvas piece is a depiction of the feeling of sadness that enveloped Amy’s life and legacy. The colour blue is symbolic of sadness, and depression. Amy was a Grammy Award winner for her revolutionary songwriting and singing. Back to Black is regarded as her magnum opus, an album full of legacy hits. She was someone who passed away way too soon at the tender age of 27. This woman was a one of a kind star and I truly see the element of zeal and ferocity (that she embodied) in her eyes smothered in her signature black eyeliner in this painting despite the troubled soul, tilted down head and blue wash of colour. An interesting juxtaposition.
3. Frances ‘Fanny’ Burney by Edward Francisco Burney circa 1785
I love the self-assured serenity and composure. Dignified and talented is what I see Fanny as in this oil on canvas painted by her cousin. Frances Burney was an influential writer, whose first novel Evelina (1778) became an instant hit. It was released anonymously and much to people’s surprise it was later revealed to be written by a woman. Burney wrote many letters that have been huge sources of information of the time and place she lived in; one of which she describes her mastectomy done without anaesthetic. Strength, resilience and talent are synonymous with Frances Burney.
4. Dorothy Hodgkin by Maggi Hambling 1985
I adore this oil on canvas overseeing Dorothy frantically hard at work. The colourful palette and the sunny interior represent the bliss Dorothy during her arduous research and discoveries. Her hands stand out the most to me, the rapid movement of her malformed hands pained by her longstanding rheumatoid arthritis. The life of a scientist must be a never-ending journey of research and education rooted in curiosity and to make the world a better place. Hodgkin was a Nobel Prize winner for her contributions to the field of chemistry in 1964, “for her determinations by X-ray techniques of the structures of important biochemical substances.”
5. Doris Lessing by Ida Car late 1950’s
Doris Lessing was an “epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power have subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny,” according to the Nobel Prize foundation that awarded her the Nobel Prize in 2007 for Literature. In this square film negative, Lessing is in a pensive, meditative state while in the company of her plants. Flowers are typically symbolic of femininity, softness and nature/nurture but Lessing, according to her claimed writing represented anything but that in her books. She questioned feminism and its influence, although her unusual stance on feminism in her most popular book, The Golden Notebook, is an introspective take on modernism and scepticism. In a world full of copycats and followers Doris Lessing was a woman with her own special voice despite coming off as brusque. And I like that juxtaposition in this photo.
6. Kate Bush by Gered Mankowitz 1978
I was instantly enamoured by this photo of the legendary Kate Bush. I see her as this mystic, a spiritual, odd and imaginative artist of incredible magnetism. Her songwriting, voice and sound are incredibly compelling. I think this photo represents Kate’s aura well. Here at the tender age of 20, she looks ethereal and mysterious yet self-assured. Almost sparkling like a star. Her music is timeless and cinematic. From Running Up That Hill, to Wuthering Heights to Babushka, Kate Bush is a sensation in the music world. She is a permanent feature on my Spotify playlist.
7. The Brontë Sisters (Anne Brontë; Emily Brontë; Charlotte Brontë) by Patrick Branwell Brontë circa 1834
Speaking of Wuthering Heights, another piece of art I gazed upon at the NPG was the one-of-a-kind group portrait of the Brontë sisters painted by their brother. It is rare to have one magnificent writer in the family, but having all three sisters going down in history as the biggest names in English literature is a feat that will never be reimagined. Furthermore, the portrait of the three sisters was done but their brother, which makes it even more special. That yellow obscured glow is a remnant of him painting himself out of the group portrait. Although rather tattered and deteriorated, the image still accomplishes a lot in showing the expressions of each sister as they sit at a table with books. Yet again, the Brontë sisters used pseudonyms at the beginning of their careers to become literary legends as they were women during the Victorian times. From Jane Eyre to Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey, the Brontë sisters are trailblazers.
8. FKA Twigs by Ronan Mckenzie
We can look back on history to be inspired by women, but in this day and age, to be exceptional one must push boundaries further, be a chameleon and be multitalented. I think FKA Twigs (who is half English half Jamaican) is a representation of the millennial generation that holds power in vulnerability, in being experimental, in being their most authentic selves. There is something angelic about Twigs’s voice, like a nymph or a fairy and I like that she is gazing up, as in a way of hope, for destiny in the sky as the light hits her smooth face. As you can tell I am a big fan of juxtaposition; the blend of dark and light, hard and soft, feminine and masculine. FKA Twigs I think is a great representation of that. Her face is quite angelic and innocent sprinkled with freckles yet the piercings give a more rock’n’roll element. FKA Twigs embodies something quite hard and soft in her music like in Two Weeks, Good To Love and Killer to name a few hits.
9. Vivienne Westwood by Juergen Teller 2014
The ferocity, unabashed individuality and timelessness of the fashion creations of Vivienne Westwood are incredibly potent. Political messages, social reform and personal touches are intertwined in her fashion philosophy. I love the natural setting Vivienne is in. Her garden, and her comfy home clothes that yet are still draped and tucked in a way that can easily become fashion trends ironically are endearing. A granny who still rocks white peroxide hair and blue lipstick at home. Two elements that set her apart from regular home attire. Dame Vivienne Westwood’s perfection and distinct aesthetic is a blend of a multitude of themes like punk, rococo and tweed to name a few. The NPG currently hold 18 portraits of Westwood.
10. Annie Lennox by Peter Ashworth 1983
The ultimate androgynous icon who shot to fame in the early 80s is Annie Lennox. Who defied the male gaze. Annie Lennox and her iconic band Eurythmics after their legendary release of Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) catapulted into billboard fame, ultimately making Lennox a 4 time Grammy Winner. The high saturation of this photography makes Lennox’s signature flame-coloured short hair, bright blue eyes and crimson red lips pop. A power pose, reminiscent of the “We Can Do It,” vintage WW2 poster makes the image powerful. Annie appears nude yet wearing a mask. She is mysterious, strong yet vulnerable at the same time. A fearlessness that continues to empower Annie to this day.
Well, there you have it, a round-up of a splendid collection of brilliant British women who have made their mark on the history of fashion, music, literature and science. This piece is written in the hope of educating and empowering people to look deeply at portraits and understand that there is so much richness and meaning to understand from them. There is more to a simple frame than meets the eye and women will always be the most potent element for works of art. If you happen to live or are visiting London check out the National Portrait Gallery to see each piece in person.
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