Henry Marsh
- Artist: Alex Rooney
- Date: 2015
- Medium: oil on panel
- Dimensions: 25 1/8 in. x 21 1/8 in. (638 mm x 536 mm) overall frame size
- Portrays: Henry Marsh
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
In front of you is “Henry Marsh”, a portrait by Alex Rooney finished in 2015 with oil on panel. The canvas captures the neurosurgeon’s face in close detail—his eyes framed by spectacles and a subtle shadow that gives depth to his expression. His gloves and hat are rendered crisply, reflecting his professional attire. Notice how light falls across the scene; the painter used the sight‑size method, positioning the sitter beside the canvas while he worked, ensuring accurate proportions. The portrait was gifted to the gallery in 2025 by Rooney himself. Dr Henry Marsh is renowned for pioneering awake craniotomy procedures within the NHS—an achievement the artist honors through this careful depiction.
See it in person
Henry Marsh 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.
