Official portrait of Commons Speaker unveiled in Parliament

From 1884 Parliament has been developing its commissions of recent and sitting Speakers. For almost 140 years each new portrait has joined a larger series that stretches back to Speaker Drury in 1495.

Painted by the critically acclaimed British-Australian contemporary artist Ralph Heimans AM, the portrait of the MP for Chorley, who was elected to the role of Speaker of the House on 4^th November 2019, now hangs permanently alongside portraits of other Speakers in the State Apartments in the Speaker’s House.  

Completed over 16 months and based on artist sketches and photographs taken over three sittings at Parliament, the oil on canvas portrait captures the Speaker during the ‘Procession’ into the Commons Chamber. The Speaker is shown following the same ceremonial route that is taken to formally open the House for the day’s business, and during the State Opening of Parliament.

The Speaker can be seen in his ceremonial state robes, walking behind the Serjeant at Arms carrying the Mace and with the Speaker’s Trainbearer behind carrying his train through the Member’s Corridor. A view into the Victorian Central Lobby can be seen in the background.

Members of the public will be able to view the official portrait, along with other works of art in the State Apartments, during tours of the Speaker’s House – taking place this summer and in future recesses.

About the Speaker’s Portrait series  

Believed to be the largest collection of portraits of Speakers in existence, the Speaker’s Portrait series includes over 60 artworks, containing 57 individual portraits of Speakers of the House of Commons, dating back to the 15^th century. The works commemorate both the holder of the office, and their role within the history of Parliament. 

In the 19^th century, portraits of each Speaker were presented by MPs to the Speaker following their retirement from the House, and then added to the collection. In the 20^th century, the House of Commons began to commission portraits shortly after each Speaker took office, adding them to the collection straight away.  

The artist 

Ralph Heimans AM (b.1970) is a British-Australian artist, based in the United Kingdom. His works can be found in Collections across the world, including the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, The Royal Collection, and The National Portrait Gallery of Washington.  

Specialising in large-scale pieces, Heimans has painted a number of prominent individuals from British public life, including King Charles III (as Prince of Wales), the former Duke of Edinburgh and the late Queen Elizabeth II. A key feature of many of Heimans' works involve the sitter being positioned in a location that speaks to their role or position in public life.

The official portrait for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee was painted by Heimans, and now hangs close to Parliament in Westminster Abbey.  

Images are available to download here.