A Posthumous Portrait

Dan Saunders · 05-02-2003, 10:53 PM

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share with you my latest pencil portrait, "Sonia", a posthumous portrait. It is amazing how much joy these types of portraits can give to a family. This particular young woman passed away 2 days after giving birth.

I would like to share the thoughts of her Aunt who commissioned it.

"Thank you so very much. The website (where it was unveiled), made my morning and it also made me cry. I will forward this to Sonia's mom, my sister...."

Some artists avoid posthumous portraits. I never could figure out why. I hope you all enjoy it.

Catherine Muhly · 05-03-2003, 12:17 PM

Your portrait is lovely and nicely done. I agree with you about posthumous portraits. I did one for a family whose mother died unexpectedly and suddenly of a heart attack in the prime of life. Having a posthumous portrait done brought much comfort to the family. It is amazing what a portrait can do to mitigate grief.

Dan Saunders · 05-03-2003, 11:44 PM

Thank you Catherine. It is amazing what our portraits can do for people.

Elizabeth Schott · 05-23-2005, 10:38 PM

HI Dan, I certainly agree with Catherine!

I really can't see much of your lovely drawing - I have found my screen on my mac PowerBook is really different from windows and shows everything much lighter. Is there any way you can darken this up a bit to get a better look?

Thanks! Beth

Lisa Ober · 05-24-2005, 10:00 AM

Dan, I think your portrait is so nicely done. You have a light and airy touch which flatters the subject very much. I am saddened that she passed away and particularly under the circumstances.

I will do posthumous portraits but the main problem for me is the lack of good reference material. Perhaps that is why many artists avoid them. That aside, the clients for whom I do these portraits are especially grateful which is gratifying beyond the staple work.

Patricia Joyce · 05-24-2005, 10:07 AM

Dan,
This is beautiful and very sensitively done. My guess is it was not the best ref pic, as is usually the case. But you took difficult lighting and created a beautiful image. I am sure the family will treasure it their lifetime, expecially the baby as it grows up.

I too, welcome the posthumous portrait for what it brings to the loved ones.