The Belle Époque Today: The Art of John Wonnacott, RP

The Royal Family: A Centernary Portrait
John Wonnacott
The British National Portrait Gallery

“Formalist,” “expressive,” and “dramatic” are just three of the words used to describe the monumental works of John Wonnacott. While his first great love is landscape painting—particularly the mudflats of the Thames estuary—the artist said, quite plainly and without arrogance, in 2005, “I had to think of something I could do that was different, which was the grand portrait commissions. I'm the only one who can do those really." Wonnacott’s portrait of The Royal Family (painted in 2000) placed him in the world spotlight. Employing the same principals he would use in rendering a landscape, Wonnacott depicts four generations of Royals in Buckingham Palace’s White Drawing Room. The painting dances with light—just the way Wonnacott likes it.


His studio overlooking the Thames is walled with mirrors which create a constant light show in the space. Wonnacott admits that while most painters like a steady light, he much prefers the drama of shifting light sources. His love for that drama is evident in his works. His portraits make no attempt to find the soul of the sitter, but rather rely on the motion and color of nature to portray their personality. He says, "I paint appearances. I don't understand insight into people. I don't know what that means. My colleagues in portrait painting say that they can see beneath the skin. Well, I think they're jolly clever. I find it hard enough to see the skin." Clearly, seeing the skin is enough for Wonnacott. His works appear to wriggle with their own life.

Norwich Cathedral
John Wonnacott

Capable of a wide range of styles, his landscapes are sometimes as crisp as a photograph, and other times, shimmering with watery lines. The decision seems to be based on the location and time of day. Wonnacott is imbued with his own brand of cleverness, a vision and creativity that would be ponderous in the hands of other artists. In his hands, however, it is pure light.

For more information about John Wonnacott, visit his Web site.