Portraits and Perceptions

A portrait can be defined as an artistic representation of a person, with an intent to display their likeness, personality and even their mood. But who determines what we really see? As a collaboration between subject and artist, to what extent do they each influence our perception of the person who is being presented? Portrait artists James Lloyd and Daphne Todd, and philosopher Nigel Warburton discuss the roles of the subject, artist and viewer in how we understand a portrait. This event is chaired by writer and broadcaster Charlotte Mullins. Image caption: 'Dame Maggie Smith' (detail), James Lloyd. 'Lord Armstrong in blue' (detail), Daphne Todd