BP Portrait Award 2019: winner announced
The winner of the BP Portrait Award 2019 has been announced at the National Portrait Gallery in London, in the 30th year of BP’s sponsorship of the competition
Artist Charlie Schaffer won the award for Imara in her Winter Coat, a portrait of his close friend.
Schaffer’s winning work was selected from 2,538 entries, covering 84 countries, with judges praising the painting’s ‘strong sense of living presence’.
UK-based Schaffer was presented with £35,000 ($44,000) and a commission worth £7,000 ($8,800).
BP group chief executive Bob Dudley introduced the awards, outlining BP’s continued support for the arts. He said: “The BP Portrait Award, and the money that comes with it, helps artists to pursue their passion. And our support for institutions like this one helps millions of people to enjoy the work those artists create.”
The portrait can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery from Thursday, 13 June, when the BP Portrait Award 2019 exhibition opens to the public. Admission to the exhibition is free.
