Controversy Surrounding Saied Dai’s Portrait of Theresa May – Unveiling a Transformative Artwork

Comparisons with Other Portraits

This controversy surrounding Dai’s portrait of May draws parallels to other political portraits that have elicited strong reactions. For instance, Kehinde Wiley’s painting of President Obama skillfully captures his statesmanlike yet approachable demeanor. Chuck Close’s portrait of Bill Clinton and Paul Emsley’s portrayal of the Duchess of Cambridge have also been subject to criticism for their interpretations of their subjects.

May’s Reaction and the Role of the Subject

Theresa May’s response to the portrait was measured and conventional, as is often the case when subjects comment on their own portraits. The lack of a full-throated endorsement from the subject can be seen as an indication that the portrait may have succeeded in revealing a deeper, more complex aspect of the subject’s character.

September 7, 2023 | 2:05 pm