Group Portrait 96"/91", at BP Portrait Award 2006 National Portrait Gallery in London
 

When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee... Isaiah 43:2, oil/canvas, 99"97", 2.44cm/2.30cm

Am very happy to be able expose for the first time my over-sized Group Portrait of Firemen at BP Portrait Award in London:

This Art competition is considered as Europe`s most prestigious event in the domain of Portraiture, (1113 entries this year) and comparing to the Royal Academy of Portrait Painters much more challenging from the point of view of a Contemporary Vision of the Portrait. Also the exhibition is visited by 200 000 people and then turns around England the whole year... Even prints of the selected works made by the Museum are available online... The quality is just surprising...

The website of the British National Portrait Gallery, to see the winners and selected works:

http://www.npg.org.uk/live/bp2006exhc.asp#anchor31974

and:

www.npg.org.uk

This piece took me several years to finish, it is nothing else but research and paint experiments (often completely unsuccessful and leading nowhere) so no wonder that only Brits with their taste for eccentricity could take the risk to expose it...

I showed already this painting at this forum several years ago, so I apologize to put it here again, I just wanted to share my happiness by passing this very important message for all our enthusiastic portrait painters:

Whatever You do, if it comes from your hearth it would be appreciated one day anyway... :)

Group Portrait of Firemen (re-actualized)
 

some more pics

Sergio-- I remember this from when you first posted it. . . Congratulations!!

The painting was also chosen to be on the 1500 invitation card for the opening ceremony ... which is great ! (for the painting of course)... Some more pics of the British National Portrait Gallery...

Sergio, this is such incredible news! I am so very happy for you!

This is indeed a very prestigious award and your intense and monumental painting certainly looks wonderful in the Portrait Gallery. I have been lucky over the past few years to have seen the BP show a few times in London. It is a wonderful venue and a most impressive accomplishment to have your work there. (A lot of those Brits can really paint.)

I would be a bowl of quivering Jello if I were in this show.

Sergio, I salute you for your passion and send you big hugs from here!

Congratulations, Sergio!

I know you will gain much good publicity with your painting! And of course future business!

A gorgeous venue.

Nice to see you again,

Dear Sergio,
a lot, I mean really a lot of congratulations, especially since I was number 541 entry and sadly collected my painting in the rejected pile (dealing with rejection is always hard, but it's better when you can blame the high numbers).
Your selection is highly deserved and I am looking forward to see the show this week.
I'll try again next year
Ilaria

Congratulations! This is BIG wonderful career news.

My most sincere congratulations on being selected in the portrait world's most prestigious artshow! It certainly says massively about your artistic efforts, talents and definitely a wonderful boost in your career!

Dear Sergio

Huge congratulations to you! This particular painting being celebrated, captured my imagination two years ago, not only for it's dynamic impact and scale, but for it's uniqueness and originality. I knew then this group portrait would resonate with the world, and turn heads eventually. This is great news for you and those who get to see it live.

Garth

Dear Sergio,

I am very happy for you and also like to congratulate you for your wonderful success. I love the idea of putting the city grid behind the fire fighters, great idea!

May this lead to even better success for you.

Sergio--

This is terrific news! I was fortunate to have you show me your work a couple of years ago, accompanied by some good conversation. I knew when I saw it that it was just a matter of time before the right audience and the right venue would come your way.

This is just the beginning of more good things to come. Good luck as always!

--Tom

My sincere congratulations!

Great Thanks for all the positive remarques,
in fact London is a Terrific place to be already, you receive so much energy from all the pubs (Beer and World Cup :), then when you enter at the National Portrait Gallery and suddenly you see Van Dyck, Holbein and in the same building your own picture... You understand that so much stuff to learn yet...

Sergio,

I am in awe. Your work is truly remarkable and your steadfastness is inspiring. I stand and applaud your much deserved success. Congratulations.

Fantastic, Sergio! The BP show is truly the big, BIG time.

Sergio, congratulations! This is wonderful news!

Sergio
Congratulations... I tried to get in this show and did not make it. The competition is something fierce.

Great job!
Tony