Germaine Greer

Germaine Greer

by Paula Rego
pastel on paper laid on aluminium, 1995
47 1/4 in. x 43 3/4 in. (1200 mm x 1111 mm)
Commissioned, 1995
Primary Collection
NPG 6351

Sitter

Germaine Greer (1939-), Writer and broadcaster; Professor of English and Comparative Studies. Sitter in 7 portraits.

Artist

Paula Rego (1935-). Artist of 2 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.

This Portrait

This portrait of Germaine Greer by Paula Rego is one of the most successful - and popular - of the Gallery's commissions. Although Paula Rego does not normally accept commissions, she agreed to paint Germaine Greer, the most public advocate of feminism and author of The Female Eunuch. This was partly because Greer had been a long-standing supporter of Rego's work, having written an introductory essay to a catalogue of her paintings when she was artist-in-residence at the National Gallery. Arrangements were made for sittings to take place at Rego's studio in Camden Town during the hot August of 1995. Greer was wearing her favourite Jean Muir dress and old, gold shoes and her hands were rough from gardening. In all they had thirty hours of sittings and listened to the entire Ring cycle. The result is a powerful example of contemporary portraiture: vigorous, straightforward, but monumental as well. The portrait's lack of flattery appeals to Greer: 'A portrait that is kind is condescending. The last thing I would want is for Paula to condescend to me, and it's the last thing she would think of doing.'

Linked Publications

Sound Guide
The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 237
Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 8
Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 61
Elizabeth Eger and Lucy Peltz, Brilliant Women: 18th Century Bluestockings, 2008 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 13 March - 15 June 2008), p. 147
Howgate, Sarah and Nairne, Sandy, A Guide to Contemporary Portraits, 2009, p. 5
John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 8
Nairne, Sandy; Howgate, Sarah, The Portrait Now, 2006, p. 10
Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 242
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: an illustrated guide, 2000, p. 237
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 237
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 263

Subjects & Themes

Carpets and textiles
Commissions - Paintings and Drawings
Contemporary tour
Eminent women tour