This is the Portrait of Sir Nicholas Goodison by Tom Phillipsborn, created between 1996 and 2005 as an oil on board work. Phillipsborn, born 1937, captures the dignified figure of the former Chairman of the Art Fund and the Courtauld Institute’s Advisory Board with a subtle, almost photographic realism. The canvas— or rather the board—holds the sitter's contemplative gaze, his suit crisp, and the muted background allowing the focus to stay on his profile. The piece was presented by The Art Fund to honor Sir Nicholas’s long service, commemorating his leadership from 1986 to 2002. Notice the delicate brushwork in the hair and the slight play of light that gives the portrait a timeless quality.
Portrait of Sir Nicholas Goodison hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.