Today, the National Portrait Gallery announced the display of ‘Gloria’ (2023), a portrait depicting the British singer and songwriter, Sam Smith. Created by artist duo Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard, also known as Pierre et Gilles, the portrait combines painting and photography in Pierre et Gilles’ distinctive style. On loan to the National Portrait Gallery from the singer themselves, the portrait will hang as part of a display that brings visitors face-to-face with some of the country’s most important and influential ‘History Makers’.
I have admired the beautiful work of Pierre et Gilles for years; their incredible portraits of icons like Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Almond are truly iconic and to sit for them was a dream come true. Working once again with Jonathan Anderson on the look was a beautiful experience. I was so happy when the National Portrait Gallery asked me if they could loan the piece. It’s very important to me to support the arts. Being in their new History Makers section is an honour.
Sam Smith Singer and songwriter
The portrait is a unique artwork. Staged in the artists’ studio with a set build and props constructed by the duo, the resulting photograph is hand-painted and embellished in the artists’ elaborate style that mixes reality, daily life, dreams and fantasies. Pierre takes the photograph, while Gilles adds the painted adornments that frame each shot. In this portrait, Sam Smith is depicted wearing a costume that includes bespoke angel wings, imagined by fashion designer JW Anderson, and styling by longtime collaborator, Ben Reardon. Fusing the fashion and art spheres of Sam’s interest, this remarkable work is the result of a true collaboration.
I’m absolutely delighted that Sam has agreed to lend this incredible work to the National Portrait Gallery. An amazing moment for Sam’s fans to connect on a deeper level with the portrait, its display presents a unique opportunity for visitors to see a much-loved artwork, borrowed from the singer’s own collection and on show for the first time in a public art gallery.
Clare Freestone Curator of Photography, National Portrait Gallery
‘Gloria’ (2023) will be on display alongside important new acquisitions to the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection, including a painted portrait by Sarah Jane Moon of activist and co-founder of Pride in London, Peter Tatchell, and a photograph of the singer Harry Styles, taken by Tyler Mitchell for the December 2020 cover of Vogue.
Currently celebrating 10 years since the release of their debut album In the Lonely Hour and having amassed 50 billion streams across their catalogue of acclaimed albums, the Multi-Platinum, Grammy, BRIT, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning artist and songwriter, Sam Smith, is one of the most celebrated British musicians to emerge in recent history. Smith is also the Founder of the LGBTQIA+ charity, The Pink House Foundation.
Since the 1970s, French artists Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard – known as Pierre et Gilles – have collaborated to create portraits that combine photography and paint. The duo have captured some of the most iconic cultural figures within their specially-built studio sets, creating portraits of artists, musicians, models, actors and designers, including Andy Warhol, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Tilda Swinton and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
The portrait of the five-time Grammy Award winner will hang in the Gallery’s History Makers display, celebrating figures who have made an impact on contemporary culture.
