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Angelic painting of Sam Smith unveiled at London’s National Portrait Gallery

By Tom Skinner Aug 1, 2024 | 7:54 AM

A new painting of Sam Smith has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in London – check out the preview below.

The piece was created by art duo Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard (aka Pierre et Gilles). Previously, the pair have depicted the likes of Madonna and Kylie Minogue through painting and photography.

Their painting of Smith – named ‘Gloria’, which is also the title of the singer’s latest album – shows the star playing a harp in a heavenly location. They are seen wearing a pair of white angel wings, designed by JW Anderson.

‘Gloria’ was created by Pierre et Gilles in 2023, with the artists first taking a photograph of Smith posing before hand painting and embellishing the picture.

The artwork will appear alongside pictures of Harry Styles, Pride In London co-founder Peter Tatchell and race campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence in the new History Makers gallery (via BBC News).

Smith said: “I have admired the beautiful work of Pierre et Gilles for years, their incredible portraits of icons like Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Almond are truly iconic, and to sit for them was a dream come true.

“I was so happy when the National Portrait Gallery asked me if they could loan the piece.”

They continued: “It’s very important to me to support the arts. Being in their new History Makers section is an honour.”

 

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