Jim,

Did you notice anything in particular that you thought was handled masterfully? Composition, certain color choices, etc..

I am surprised at the choice of frame. For the Vatican I would have expected a more ornate frame. I also would have liked to know at what height this painting will hang, once it is at "home". Church commissions were usually meant to be viewed from a certain viewpoint. This would in turn determine the choice of perspective chosen by the artist. Have you heard anything in regards to that?

I'm afraid, Enzie, that nothing changed my mind in a positive way and certainly not the concept/composition. This, of course, is coming from one artists' tendency to look more critically than the majority will and believe it likely that it will be a very popular painting. If anything, I will make a return visit to his previous work with a different eye.

I know little about the place where it will hang. The frame is very classy. It's a contemporary classic and the photos do not do it justice.

Thanks Jim! I really like the portrait of the guy standing in front! ;)

It certainly looks like Pope art. I must say, I really like his choice of colors, they are soothing and work together very well.

This portrait is really gorgeous and I have nothing but admiration for the artist, Nelson Shanks.

Jim, since you have been "up close and personal" with this painting, did you happen to notice the kind of canvas he used? Was it smooth, textured or painted directly on a smooth board?

Karin,

I'm sorry to say that I failed to notice any evidence of canvas texture. I can't be sure but I think I recall some reflection from the lights on the upper part of the painting that indicated canvas as opposed to rigid substrate however.

The young man who took my picture is a student of Shanks and he intended to send his email address to me in order that I might send his photo beside the painting. If I hear from him we might have a source to answer your questions. I gave him my card but have not heard from him after 11 days.

Texture
 

Karin,

I just saw a large portrait by Shanks at the Forum Gallery in NY at a show entitled "Modern and Contemporary Portraits." It was his painting of the opera singer Denise Graves. The painting was on a more heavily textured canvas. Definately not portrait grade linen.

The painting was about 6 or 7 feet high. Perhaps he would paint a smaller painting on a finer weave canvas.

I dunno, he just never returns my calls! (joke!)

It was an interesting show nonetheless. With few exceptions, not exactly what you would call "commercial" portraiture.

I wonder what's more heroic. This painting with a strong looking pope with a heroic gesture, or a painting in which the pope was portrayed how he is now, with the portraitist trying to show the inner strength of someone in that position and health-situation.

I guess Shanks had no choice than to do it this way.

Peter