My most recent painting, Vivien (2019) is a tribute to stage and screen legend, Vivien Leigh.
She was born in British India in 1913 and was educated in Europe. As a result, she became fluent in both French and Italian.
The family returned in England in the 1930’s. Eventually, Vivien married a barrister and had her only child with him. However, her husband did not approve of her theatrical studies and did not want her to become an actress. In the end, she left him for fellow thespian, Sir Laurence Olivier.
Timeless Appeal
Following her second marriage, Vivien was known as Lady Olivier. Although her career had brought her success, she saw her beauty as an impediment.
Vivien felt others did not take her seriously as an actress. Yet, she was incredibly talented. Ultimately, she proved that she was throughout her career.
She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress and a Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical. However, she preferred performing on stage.
In particular, her performances with Sir Laurence Olivier were legendary. Although she suffered from bouts of manic depression, it was tuberculosis that led to her untimely death at 53.
I wanted to paint Vivien (2019) to show her incredible depth of emotion. The painting was inspired by an old black and white photograph from 1940. I was especially moved by her vulnerability and the expression in her eyes.
I painted her contemporaries, Pola (2018) and Glora (2017) for similar reasons. Using an uncomplicated composition, I kept the focus on her face. In addition, I chose a soft, muted palette, which emphasised the symmetry of her features.
Vivien (2019) reveals both her emotional fragility and her resolve to overcome adversity. The result is a painting that pays homage to an exceptionally talented actress and shows that half a century after her death, Vivien Leigh’s appeal is as strong as ever.