Portrait of Omai rendered in gestural fuschia

Elizabeth Peyton

Mai (Afterlife) after Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai), 1776

€1,000

Artwork

100

Sold out

Love this work?

Subscribe to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

In support of the National Portrait Gallery in London, Elizabeth Peyton depicts the subject of Reynolds’ eighteenth century portrait in gestural fuchsia.

Reynolds’ original painting portrays Mai – a Pacific Islander from Raiatea who travelled to England in 1773 and became a prominent figure in aristocratic society – at full length, barefoot in flowing robes. In her rendition, Peyton focuses entirely on Mai’s face, which she renders evocatively in loose strokes of oil paint.

Peyton’s artwork has been meticulously translated into a 15-layer, limited edition silkscreen in close collaboration artisan printmakers at Make-Ready in London – one of a pair of editions launched in support of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Re-opening in June 2023, the Gallery's diversified collection focuses on presenting an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom.

Mai (Afterlife) after Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai), 1776, 2023, silkscreen print © Elizabeth Peyton.

Go deeper

03:13

Behind the scenes

a black and white photograph of artist Elizabeth Peyton wearing a black jacket

Elizabeth Peyton 3 collaborationsElizabeth Peyton creates gestural, atmospheric paintings and works on paper that attest to the psychical and emotional depths of the people she paints. Her artworks map out delicate negotiations between beauty, desire, and the pictorial image. Peyton finds feeling in all that she depicts. Whether it's people from her own milieu or figures from history, literature, music or film, she always renders each scene with the intensity of her own particular humanism – a close and loving look at humanity. In each figure's uniqueness, she reveals the universal emotions that connect us to each other and to art, and which stretch from our present moment back through time.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

Beyond my expectations and Avante Arte will be my only source for online art. No others compare to the artists and perfectionism that Avante Arte offers. Thank you.
Review of Guardian
Overall extremely impressed with Avant Arte, especialy with the shipping/packaging and materials included with the print. Definitely care and attention to detail not typicaly associated with art of this price-level. Thank you
Review of Untitled
The packaging was great. Thank you for including the gloves.
Review of Actual Size
Looks really great - high quality print arrived in perfect condition. Thank You!
Review of Guardian
this is a. very good way to make great artisrs’ work affordable. well done
Review of Women Without Men #2, 2009
Excellent experience from start to finish.
Review of Portrait of Francis Bacon
im thrilled and am looking forward to purchasing another piece soon!
Review of Guardian
love my piece and thank you for the communication and guidance regarding shipping documents
Review of Sandman

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Cui JieShanghai Federation of Industry & Commerce Building€1,500

Available

Claudia ComteMorphing Waves with Fire Corals€1,350

Draw

Zeng FanzhiEphemerality (13)€2,500Closing on 26 August

Draw

Parrain your detached world€650Closing on 21 August