50.5cm x 37.7cm
15 layer silkscreen print with hand-painted black paper edge on 410gsm Somerset Tub Sized Radiant white paper.
In support of the National Portrait Gallery in London, Elizabeth Peyton depicts the subject of Reynolds' eighteenth century portrait in gestural fuchsia.
Reynolds' original painting portrays Mai – a Pacific Islander from Raiatea who travelled to England in 1773 and became a prominent figure in aristocratic society – at full length, barefoot in flowing robes. In her rendition, Peyton focuses entirely on Mai's face, which she renders evocatively in loose strokes of oil paint.
Peyton's artwork has been meticulously translated into a 15-layer, limited edition silkscreen in close collaboration artisan printmakers at Make-Ready in London – one of a pair of editions launched in support of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Re-opening in June 2023, the Gallery's diversified collection focuses on presenting an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom.
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