Roy Strong at 80: Photographs by John Swannell

Great fun exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery to mark the 80th birthday of one of its pervious directors, Sir Roy Strong.

Strong worked with the photographer John Swannell over 5 years to create pictures of Strong in the guise of various historic pictures and characters. Swannell has a good eye for historic dress and detail. It was fun to stand in front of the packed display and play spot the person. I think the best one was Brunel recreating the famous photographs but I also loved the Lincoln and the Della Francesca of the Duke of Urbino.

I got a real sense of Strong sense of humour and how much he must have enjoyed this project. He always looks on the verge of laughter! A lovely tribute to a great curator!

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