On Wednesday (July 31), London’s National Gallery unveiled the latest edition to their collection: a stunning portrait of the “Stay With Me” singer created by Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard (better known by their dual moniker, Pierre et Gilles). The new artwork — titled Gloria after Smith’s fourth studio album — depicts Smith dressed in a white toga and golden laurel crown, as large angelic wings sprout from their back in a heavenly locale.
The new piece, which Smith loaned to the National Gallery from their own personal collection, joins the museum’s “History Makers” exhibit, which “brings visitors face-to-face with some of the country’s most important and influential” people, according to a press release.
“I have admired the beautiful work of Pierre et Gilles for years, their incredible portraits of icons like Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Almond are truly iconic, and to sit for them was a dream come true,” Smith said in a statement. “I was so happy when the National Portrait Gallery asked me if they could loan the piece. It’s very important to me to support the arts. Being in their new ‘History Makers’ section is an honour.”
Clare Freestone, the National Gallery’s curator of photography, added that she was “absolutely thrilled” to feature the piece in the museum’s collection. “Its display presents a unique opportunity for visitors to see a much-loved artwork, borrowed from the singer’s own collection and on show for the first time in a public art gallery,” she wrote in a statement.
The revelation of Smith’s new portrait comes as the singer prepares to release the 10th-anniversary edition of their debut album, In the Lonely Hour . The updated LP will feature re-recordings of the star’s classic songs like “ Stay With Me ” and “ I’m Not the Only One ,” the latter of which is set to feature new vocals from R&B superstar Alicia Keys.
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