Jonathan Yeo unveils green David Attenborough portrait
In addition to being one of television’s most iconic and legendary broadcasters, David Attenborough is famously a staunch environmentalist and conservationist, which has been reflected in a new portrait painted by artist Jonathan Yeo.
The green colour scheme reflects Attenborough’s lifelong dedication to exploring and preserving the natural world, and it stands in stark contrast to the vibrant red official portrait of King Charles by Yeo that was recently unveiled and swiftly vandalised by animal activist groups.
Based on his decades-long desire to spotlight the dangers humanity has been causing habitats all over the world, it’s probably safe to assume that the work depicting Attenborough won’t be subjected to a similar attack. Although these things can never be ruled out definitively given the increase of activist-driven assaults on the art world.
The portrait was commissioned by the Royal Society to mark Attenborough’s four decades as a fellow of the organisation, which the 98-year-old called a “tremendous honour.” Reflecting on having his portrait painted by an artist of Yeo’s standing, he remarked that it was “extraordinary indeed.”
“To spend so much of my life looking at the natural world and attempting to convey to others its amazing complexity, beauty and, increasingly, its fragility, has been a great privilege,” the British icon said. “It has only been possible thanks to the extraordinary natural history filmmakers and the many dedicated scientists who have willingly shared their work with us.”
Yeo didn’t need much encouragement to accept the invitation, he claimed that “it’s hard to imagine a public figure who has done more to engage and inspire all generations in the wonders of the natural world than Sir David.” In a time when “too many global leaders are failing to engage seriously in tackling the threats to our climate,” the artist saluted Attenborough’s “lifetime of work in communicating and sharing its wonders and importance.”
The work celebrates a career committed to raising awareness of “climate change and biodiversity,” with the Royal Society’s head of library and archives Keith Moore commending Attenborough as “one of a kind,” saying there’s nobody “who has touched as many people’s lives in explaining the ideas behind great science and how they affect our world” to the same extent.
The art work won’t be locked away and withheld from view immediately, though, with Yeo’s portrait of Attenborough going on display to the public between July 2nd and July 7th as part of the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition.
