Letter: Boardroom portraits with humanity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Andrew Graham-Dixon ('Posture and imposture', 20 October), in comparing Van Dyck's Venetia Stanley with Hogarth's Captain Coram, suggests that the modern boardroom portrait may represent the cul-de-sac, the last resting place, of the Hogarthian tradition of anti-theatrical portraiture.
Benedict Nicolson, in The Treasures of the Foundling Hospital, was less dismissive of Hogarth's great portrait.
He called it 'a milestone in the history of British portraiture, which looks back to Van Dyck and forward to Lawrence, and yet is an object more momentous than a mere stage on a journey. It marks a significant moment in British social life, when the genius of the rising middle class asserts itself with confidence and power.'
But the boardroom portrait has long since escaped from its cul- de-sac. Starting perhaps with June Mendoza's portrait of the Academic Committee of the London Business School in 1966, many boardroom portraits have now a warmth, a humanity - sometimes even a touch of the theatrical - which Van Dyck would assuredly welcome.
Yours faithfully,
WILLIAM BARNES
London, NW3
20 October
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments