Portrait of Omai rendered in gestural fuschia

Elizabeth Peyton

Mai (Afterlife) after Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai), 1776

€1,000

Artwork

100

Sold out

Love this work?

Subscribe to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

In support of the National Portrait Gallery in London, Elizabeth Peyton depicts the subject of Reynolds’ eighteenth century portrait in gestural fuchsia.

Reynolds’ original painting portrays Mai – a Pacific Islander from Raiatea who travelled to England in 1773 and became a prominent figure in aristocratic society – at full length, barefoot in flowing robes. In her rendition, Peyton focuses entirely on Mai’s face, which she renders evocatively in loose strokes of oil paint.

Peyton’s artwork has been meticulously translated into a 15-layer, limited edition silkscreen in close collaboration artisan printmakers at Make-Ready in London – one of a pair of editions launched in support of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Re-opening in June 2023, the Gallery's diversified collection focuses on presenting an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom.

Mai (Afterlife) after Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai), 1776, 2023, silkscreen print © Elizabeth Peyton.

Go deeper

03:13

Behind the scenes

a black and white photograph of artist Elizabeth Peyton wearing a black jacket

Elizabeth Peyton 3 collaborationsElizabeth Peyton creates gestural, atmospheric paintings and works on paper that attest to the psychical and emotional depths of the people she paints. Her artworks map out delicate negotiations between beauty, desire, and the pictorial image. Peyton finds feeling in all that she depicts. Whether it's people from her own milieu or figures from history, literature, music or film, she always renders each scene with the intensity of her own particular humanism – a close and loving look at humanity. In each figure's uniqueness, she reveals the universal emotions that connect us to each other and to art, and which stretch from our present moment back through time.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

Extremely happy with the artwork but also the online insight to the production and interview with the artist. The shipping and packaging are very considered and I look forward to seeing ( & buying ) other pieces
Review of Guardian
Lovely art work, very professional company, the packaging was incredible. The whole process was very impressive. i will purchase more. thanks!
Review of Guardian
packaging was best I’ve ever had when ordering a print. love the gloves!!
Review of Interior: Red Couch and Landscape
Excellent process as usual
Review of Scaffold
love my piece and thank you for the communication and guidance regarding shipping documents
Review of Sandman
everything in the communication has been pretty clear and fluid, the tracking before delivery was detailled and fast, the packaging was enought secured and the final artwork is incredible !
Review of B BOY JUSHI
what an amazing experience from top to bottom. The best communication, print quality and packing. This is my first time purchasing from you and I look forward to my next purchase.
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
Great service delivering to Australia, thrilled with the artwork. look forward to hanging it once our renovation is finished.
Review of Diamond Vibration (Caught by the fuzz)

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Katrin FridriksStarGate Messenger€500

Available

Trudy BensonRed Sky€459

Draw

Giuseppe PenoneIl mio vedere futuro - My Future Vision I€2,200Closing on 16 July

Draw

Hank Willis Thomas“Success is no accident.”€600Closing in 00d 00h 00m