A Brush With Brilliance

On Thursday, a group of Sixth and Fifth Form creative pupils visited the National Portrait Gallery in London. The aim of the trip was to broaden pupils’ understanding of both contemporary and historical portraiture, while inspiring their own artistic practice.

Highlights of the visit included Tracey Emin’s sculptural installation of doors, which sparked thoughtful discussions about memory and personal experience in art. Pupils also explored the major retrospective of Jenny Saville’s work. Saville, internationally recognised for her large-scale, raw, and unflinching paintings of the human body, draws influence from Old Masters such as Titian and Rubens, as well as modern artists like Willem de Kooning, alongside photography and feminist discourse. The combination of these influences produces paintings that challenge traditional ideals of beauty and representation. Pupils found the scale and intensity of her work both impactful and inspiring, with many expressing admiration for her fearless approach.

The group also visited the annual Portrait Awards, which showcased a remarkable variety of styles and approaches to contemporary portraiture. This was complemented by time spent exploring the Gallery’s permanent collection, where pupils encountered iconic works that form part of its established canon.

Throughout the visit, pupils’ behaviour was exemplary. They engaged with the artworks in a thoughtful and mature manner, leaving with a renewed sense of curiosity, ambition, and awe for the power of portraiture. Many thanks to Mrs Oliver for expertly organising the trip.