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New portrait unveiled: The Rt Hon. the Lord Fowler, The Lord Speaker by Andrew Festing

A new portrait of Lord Fowler, former Lord Speaker, was unveiled in a ceremony in the River Room in September 2021.

A painted portrait displayed on a blue display board with open curtains either side. The portrait depicts a man with grey hair, wearing the ceremonial dress of the Lord Speaker. Behind the blue display board is a room decorated with wooden panelling, green wallpaper, and patterned carpet. There is a window with red curtains, and a red chair with a golden portcullis symbol on the backrest.
The newly unveiled portrait. Lord Fowler served as Lord Speaker from 2016 until April 2021. This portrait shows Lord Fowler in his office as the Lord Speaker, wearing the ceremonial dress of the post. Photo credit: UK Parliament. The Rt Hon. the Lord Fowler, The Lord Speaker by Andrew Festing © Parliamentary Art Collection WOA 7641

The Lord Speaker’s Advisory Panel on Works of Art commissioned the portrait by celebrated painter Andrew Festing in 2019. It was completed in early 2020, however unveiling the artwork was delayed during the pandemic.

Among those attending the event was the chair of the Works of Art Panel Lord Faulkner of Worcester, and the new Lord Speaker Lord McFall. In a speech at the unveiling, Lord Faulkner paid tribute to the contribution of the late Baroness Maddock to the work of the of the Works of Art Panel. Baroness Maddock oversaw and progressed this portrait commission, including visiting the artist during its creation to inspect progress.

Two men standing in front of a painted portrait. The man on the left is wearing a dark suit and striped shirt. He holds a wooden walking stick. He has grey hair, and is smiling. The man on the right-hand side is wearing a dark suit, white shirt and pink tie. He has grey hair, glasses and is smiling. Between the men is a painted portrait depicting the man who is photographed on the right hand side. The portrait is displayed on a blue background, with open blue curtains either side.
Andrew Festing (L) and Lord Fowler (R) with the new portrait. Photo credit: UK Parliament
The Rt Hon. the Lord Fowler, The Lord Speaker by Andrew Festing © Parliamentary Art Collection WOA 7641

About the commission

This portrait joins the Parliamentary Art Collection as the latest in the series of portraits of Lord Speakers. Each portrait was painted whilst the sitter was in office. The importance of this post within the context of the House of Lords’ work means this series is a significant contribution to the recording of the history of Parliament.

Artworks by Andrew Festing can be found at the National Portrait Gallery and other national collections. This most recent piece joins his other works in the Parliamentary Art Collection, including his monumental portrait of the House of Lords Debating the Queen’s Speech in November 1995.

Related Objects

See other works in the Parliamentary Art Collection by Andrew Festing.

View the portrait of former Lord Speaker Baroness Hayman.

View the portrait of former Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza.

September 21, 2021