Jonathan Yeo Paints a Verdant Green Portrait of Sir David Attenborough
Fresh off a controversial painting of King Charles III, the latest work is commissioned by the Royal Society.
A little over a month after painting King Charles III, Jonathan Yeo has invited the acclaimed British broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough as his next sitter. From collecting fossils and stones as a child to narrating virtually every television series with the word “Planet” in its title, the knighted biologist has arguably become the most recognizable voice when it comes to wildlife and the threats that face our world.
Commissioned by the Royal Society, one of the oldest scientific academies in existence, the painting is meant to honor Attenborough’s four decades of public engagement, one to which Yeo believes more poignant than ever. “At a time when the planet seems more fragile than it ever has,” Yeo said in a statement, “that ability to educate people – and let’s face it, our politicians aren’t doing a very good job of dealing with the problems at hand – is more important than ever. He has probably done more than anyone to communicate that.”
Courtesy of the artist and The Royal Society
Similar to the King Charles III painting, which featured a crimson red background that was mocked en masse since its unveiling — many drawing comparisons to the monarchy’s ties with colonialism — the portrait of Attenborough is dominated by a verdant green scene that is meant to depict the friendly biologist emerging from one of his many natural escapades.
“To spend so much of my life looking at the natural world and attempting to convey to others its amazing complexity, beauty and increasingly its fragility has been a great privilege, Attenborough reflected in a statement. “It has only been possible thanks to the extraordinary natural history film makers and the many dedicated scientists who have willingly shared their work with us.”
Attenborough’s portrait will be on view at the Royal Society starting on July 2.
