Somerset Maugham 1949
oil on canvas

Graham Sutherland (1903-1980). Tate Gallery, London.

The title quote from Maugham reminded me of Graham Sutherland's portrait of Maugham. Unlike his portraits most of Sutherland's work was semi-abstract, slightly surreal, and almost mystical.

The reproduction here doesn't really do justice to the painting. It's a terrific piece of work.

I've posted another example of Sutherland's portraiture below, his 1973-1974 portrait of Lord Goodman.