Me, myself and I

One of the country’s leading portrait painters has just opened his latest exhibition at Clare Hall Art Gallery.

’John Wonnacott - a 50-year retrospective of self portraits’ has been described by art critic Martin Gayford as "a magnificent exhibition", and offers visitors the chance to witness the artist’s development in the discipline over his working life.

"Many painters produce multiple self-portraits through their working lives," writes Wonnacott in the programme notes to the show.

"Painters make their own most reliable models: the painter-sitter is always present on the other side of the mirror when needed, never forgets which clothes to wear and is willing to hold or alter any position as requested."

There are few artists who are better positioned to comment on the business of portrait painting. Wonnacott, who famously painted the Royal Family in 2000, and former prime minister John Major in 1997, has earned a reputation as a grand-commission portraitist, and his work appears in many top collections.

Wonnacott was awarded a CBE in 2000, and has had solo shows at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh and the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The exhibition runs until 5 March.