New portrait of Tony Blair

Last Modified: 24 Apr 2008
By: Channel 4 News

Forgotten what Blair looks like already? A new portrait of the former PM on show at Portcullis House serves as a reminder.

Although only unveiled yesterday at Portculis House in Westminster, the portrait - by artist Phil Hale and commissioned by the Commons advisory committee on works of art - was actually painted before the only other official portrait of Blair by Jonathan Yeo.

The portrait was painted at Checquers as Tony Blair neared the end of his decade as prime minister. It shows him looking weary and pensive - a contrast, perhaps, to how he might be represented were he to sit for a portrait now.

There is something disarmingly honest about the portrait, as Guardian's visual arts critic, Jonathan Jones observes: "Both the portraits of Blair feel more honest than anything he has said about how he was feeling towards the end of his term in power."

And yet there is also a hint at what is to come: the relaxed posture, the casual attire, the lack of a tie - signalling, perhaps, the impending abandonment of the restraint and restrictions of power.

Hale says of the portrait: "I saw my role as a documentarist, and tried, accordingly, to remain as transparent a presence as possible. Blair was very accommodating.

"I was lucky that he had more pressing concerns than prettifying himself for a picture. I think we were well-balanced in that sense. He didn't perform, and I didn't divine."

The painting will be added to the parliamentary collection and after hanging in Portculis House will be moved to the Palace of Westminster.