Is it possible to paint a portrait of a lawyer before the Supreme Court without sitting in the artist’s alcove? One American painter thinks so, but according to a recent New York Times article, some of his lawyer-subjects who bought their likenesses feel like they didn’t get what they paid for.
Todd Crespi has had a long career as a Supreme Court artist, but has not had a press pass to do his work in the courtroom itself in several years, writes Adam Liptak. He insists that he sits in the public gallery to observe his subjects, and then completes his paintings at his studio. But questions about his use of standard backgrounds (which he denies) and complaints from lawyers who feel his correspondence gives the inaccurate impression that his works are painted during hearings have cast a shadow over his recent paintings.
Crespi insists in the article that his works are wholly original, and that his process is generally disclosed to his potential clients.
Photo courtesy of onecle