IT was something of a love-fest on Thursday afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery when artist Del Kathryn Barton joined Maggie Beer to unveil her new portrait, commissioned by the NPG of kitchen queen, media personality, restaurateur and businesswoman.

On hand was Portrait Gallery director Bree Pickering, who told an unusually large crowd of well-wishers about  the program of commissioning portraits to increase understanding and appreciation of Australian people.

Barton, a two-time winner of the Archibald Prize, is known for her figurative paintings which feature fantastical characters posed against ornate backgrounds and in this portrait, a severe Beer is shown surrounded by her favourite fruit and vegetables.

“This is a woman who has lived an incredible life… so beautifully her age, but transcendent of age. She fills up a room with light and energy and generosity,” Barton said of her subject.

As for Maggie, asked  about her reaction to the portrait she had just one thing to say: “To have the fantasy around it, I’m blown away by that.”

The portrait “Maggie”, 2023 will be on display at the Gallery over the summer months.

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