New painting of Dame Maggie Smith unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery
DAME Maggie Smith had her very own painting unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery yesterday.
The portrait of the legendary actress was commissioned by the gallery and painted by artist James Lloyd.
In the six foot by three foot painting, Smith can be seen relaxing in a chair that is draped with a blanket inside Lloyd's south London studio.
"I was delighted to be asked by the National Portrait Gallery to paint Dame Maggie Smith, not only because this was an opportunity to have a third painting in the gallery's collection, but also for the honour of trying to portray such a luminary of stage and film," Lloyd told the Daily Telegraph.
I was delighted to be asked by the National Portrait Gallery to paint Dame Maggie Smith, not only because this was an opportunity to have a third painting in the gallery's collection, but also for the honour of trying to portray such a luminary of stage a
"I learnt that Dame Maggie had been reluctant to have her portrait painted in the past, and at my first meeting with her, her opening words were, 'Poor you,'" he added.
Lloyd began the work of art back in 2011 and, of course, had to fit in sessions around Smith's busy schedule.
He also had to contend with her changing appearance, as the award-winning actress dyed her hair for her latest film 'Quartet.'