Deborah Levy ('Portrait of Deborah Levy')
- Artist: Paul Heber-Percy
- Date: 2022
- Medium: acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 21 in. x 17 in. (532 mm x 432 mm) overall frame size
- Portrays: Deborah Levy
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “Deborah Levy” by Paul Heber‑Percy. The canvas measures about 21 by 17 inches and shows the writer in a relaxed pose, her hands resting on a cup of tea. Notice how the acrylic paint blurs the edges of her face, giving it an airy, almost painterly softness. His brushwork creates gentle layers that make the light feel warm and diffuse.
The portrait was painted in 2022 after several informal sittings over tea and wine. Heber‑Percy captured a quiet moment, letting Levy’s calm smile sit against a subtle backdrop of muted greens and grays. The colors hint at late afternoon light, as if the scene unfolds just before the day ends.
Heber‑Percy chose acrylic because its quick drying time helped him layer textures quickly, yet he kept the surface smooth enough that no single brushstroke dominates the image. He captures Levy’s gaze directly toward us, a simple yet intimate dialogue between viewer and sitter. The painting reminds us of the quiet power in everyday moments.
See it in person
Deborah Levy ('Portrait of Deborah Levy') is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
