Elizabeth Peyton

Elizabeth Peyton offers a poignant reinterpretation of Reynolds' iconic portrait through her distinctive contemporary lens in this artwork. This close-cropped pencil and pastel study captures Mai's face in sweeping shades of fuchsia, rendering the subject with characteristic tenderness. Created to commemorate the historic acquisition of Reynolds' masterpiece, Peyton's work transforms the first recorded Polynesian visitor to Britain into an intimate meditation on cultural exchange and temporal connection. The piece exemplifies Peyton's ability to bridge historical narratives with contemporary artistic language, reflecting her ongoing exploration of portraiture as a vehicle for emotional resonance. Through her gestural mark-making and sensitive handling of colour, Peyton creates a dialogue between past and present, celebrating Mai's historical significance and the enduring power of portraiture.