Portrait of Dr David Brown 1986

Curator: Here we have Maggi Hambling's "Portrait of Dr David Brown", part of the Tate Collections, executed in charcoal. Editor: The smudging gives it a spectral, almost haunted quality. The sitter seems weighty, both literally and figuratively. Curator: Indeed, the subject's bulk is rendered through heavy charcoal strokes, contrasting with expanses of blank space. The hatching around the face emphasizes its craggy character. Editor: The open, expressive pose feels symbolic. Is it inviting, or is it a confrontation? The eyes certainly command attention. Curator: The formal attire—the suit, the tie—lends a sense of authority, yet the medium softens the impact, making it feel less a portrait of power and more a study in human vulnerability. Editor: Perhaps that is why the work resonates so powerfully. It seems to grasp a fleeting moment of introspection, etched in charcoal for eternity. Curator: A beautiful encapsulation. Hambling's piece truly speaks to the enduring power of portraiture and its ability to unveil inner truths.