The Belle Époque Today: The Art of Andrew Festing, RP

Homan Potterton, By A. Festing: Royal Society of Portrait Painters

A member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and a contemporary of the talented, Richard Foster, RP, Andrew Festing, is known for his honest depictions and his broad, strong hand. His reputation as one of the finest portrait painters of today earned him a sitting with Queen Elizabeth II. He, also, notably followed in the footsteps of John Singer Sargent, one of his greatest influences, when he was commissioned to paint a portrait of the late Queen Mother.


Festing’s portraits are monumental in scale, affording him the luxury of great detail. He prefers to have his subjects sit for a week or more so that he can capture their true essence. Not known for pandering to his subjects, he paints them as they really are. Coupling his artistic earnestness with his impeccable use of color, the result is a portrait the truly encapsulates his subject.

Lady Palmer, A. Festing: The Royal Society of Portrait Painters

A former soldier from a celebrated military family, before working full-time as a portrait artist, Festing was employed by Sotheby’s. Having since impressed the artistic community, he has had sittings with celebrities ranging from royals to cricketers.

Luxuriously natural and elegantly rendered, just one look at Festing’s work shows the influences of other great English masters and is further proof that the spirit of magnificent art thrives today.