James Ivory

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James Ivory

by Don Bachardy
acrylic with wash, 1996
29 7/8 in. x 22 1/8 in. (759 mm x 562 mm)
Commissioned, 1996
Primary Collection
NPG 6372

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Artistback to top

  • Don Bachardy (1934-), Artist. Artist or producer of 9 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

These portraits, commissioned to commemorate the thirty fifth anniversary of Merchant Ivory Productions, were painted in James Ivory's upstate New York home over one weekend. The artist, who had known his sitters for many years, did three verisons of each portrait. Ivory said of the experience: 'I got mesmerised by sitting. It's like early photography - you're afraid to move, as you think you'll disturb what he's doing. It's like being under hypnosis'.

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Current affairs

The largest ever IRA bomb is detonated in Manchester causing the destruction of many buildings and over 200 injuries. Nobody died in the incident because a warning was given and the area evacuated. After the bombing much of Manchester was rebuild and in 1998 it won a successful bid to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana finalise their divorce after four years of separation.

Art and science

The Spice Girls enjoy massive popular success with their first single Wannabe going straight to Number 1. The group are remembered as much for their sassy, outspoken 'girl power' attitude and their continuing subsequent celebrity as for their music.
Danny Boyle tells the story of a group of Edinburgh heroin addicts in his critically acclaimed film version of Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting.

International

The First Chechnya War breaks out between Chechnya and Russia when Russian forces invade the country in support of Chechnyan opposition to the government. The invasion went badly with strong Chechnyan resistance and dissent in the Russian command. However, a truce was finally established after Russia seized the capital Grozny. More than 46,000 people died as a result of the conflict.

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