Mike Leigh

1 portrait

© National Portrait Gallery, London

6 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation Close

Mike Leigh

by Stuart Pearson Wright
oil on canvas, 2003
28 in. x 19 7/8 in. (710 mm x 506 mm)
Purchased, 2011
Primary Collection
NPG 6926

Sitterback to top

  • Mike Leigh (1943-), Dramatist; theatre, television and film director. Sitter in 6 portraits.

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

The artist moved studios during the making of this work and the faintly sketched background refers to the studio in which sittings originally took place.

Placesback to top

Events of 2003back to top

Current affairs

Biological weapons expert, David Kelly commits suicide after being questioned by the government over allegations that the Iraq weapons dossier had been 'sexed-up' by the government. The Hutton Inquiry into Kelly's death concluded that he had taken his own life and that the BBC's claim was unfounded, leading to the Director General's resignation. No stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

Art and science

England wins the Rugby World Cup in the final against Australia. The match was exceptionally close with Australia equalising with just two and a half minutes of extra time remaining. 21 seconds before the end of the match, England's fly-half Jonny Wilkinson scored a drop-goal, winning the match and the tournament.

International

America leads an invasion of Iraq after accusing the country of building Weapons of Mass Destruction. Initial success was achieved with the toppling of Saddam Hussein's government and George Bush's declaration of the end of major conflict - 'Mission Accomplished' - within two months of the invasion. The conflict, however, was not over, and British and American troops continued fighting with insurgents to stabilise the country.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.