VISUAL ART: EXIT POLL: Friends of the RA discuss Van Dyck

WILLIAM PHILLIPS

INVESTMENT BANKER, 48

I liked his portraits of children and the less pompous businessmen. Some brilliant ones of young men looked very, very modern. You could see changing fashions too. The shoes were amazing: the platform heels would put my daughter's shoes to shame.

HELEN WRIGHT

COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT, 44

I thought it was great and much more interesting than I'd expected. Some wonderful techniques are demonstrated. There's a sketch for a horse and it's even more beautiful than the final portrait. It's lovely, showing the fast technique and brushwork.

HENRY GOODMAN

RETIRED INSURANCE BROKER, 62

Although I'm not a religious man in any way, I thought Christ's face was so compelling in the portrait of him carrying the cross. There was just such immense pain and tragedy in that face that I think it was one of the most moving pictures I've ever seen in my life.

VIVIENNE BROWNING

RETIRED TEACHER, 67

I'm absolutely overwhelmed, having seen so many familiar images in the flesh, as it were. I shall go home with it singing in my head. I think the triple portrait of Charles I is my favourite because I now know why it was done the way it was.