08 February 2009
Speakership Painting
14/02/09 13:34 Filed in: Art, Painting, Government, State, Politics
Twice now, I’ve had the opportunity to assist with the making of the Speakers’ Portraits in the Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Speaker John Perzel’s painting was created using an image photographed by me.
All of these paintings are mounted in the House hallway. Speaker Dennis O’Brien was photographed a few weeks ago for Artist Tina Reiley. It’s really an interesting process how different the information an artist requires for her work. Details of the subject’s hands and eyes are critical for a successful painting. Obviously, the end result has to be a great likeness hung for future generations to see and remember, just as we see the painting of Speaker Ben Franklin.
In photographing Speaker O’brien, I really wanted it to be unique when comparing other Speakership paintings. There are paintings of Speaker’s past that are holding a book, the gavel or a simple powerful gaze into the beholder’s eye. Photographing John Perzel, he chose to be photographed in the Speaker’s office.
While we started at the Speaker’s Rostrum on the House Floor, I gradually moved Speaker O’brien further and further away from it. Ultimately, I believe we got a unique prospective of former Speaker Dennis O’brien, with the rostrum and a portion of the Apotheosis in the background. I look forward to sharing more of an in depth feature here as the painting progresses onward.
All of these paintings are mounted in the House hallway. Speaker Dennis O’Brien was photographed a few weeks ago for Artist Tina Reiley. It’s really an interesting process how different the information an artist requires for her work. Details of the subject’s hands and eyes are critical for a successful painting. Obviously, the end result has to be a great likeness hung for future generations to see and remember, just as we see the painting of Speaker Ben Franklin.
In photographing Speaker O’brien, I really wanted it to be unique when comparing other Speakership paintings. There are paintings of Speaker’s past that are holding a book, the gavel or a simple powerful gaze into the beholder’s eye. Photographing John Perzel, he chose to be photographed in the Speaker’s office.
While we started at the Speaker’s Rostrum on the House Floor, I gradually moved Speaker O’brien further and further away from it. Ultimately, I believe we got a unique prospective of former Speaker Dennis O’brien, with the rostrum and a portion of the Apotheosis in the background. I look forward to sharing more of an in depth feature here as the painting progresses onward.