2019 BP Portrait Award announced amid sponsorship controversy

Charlie Schaffer has been announced as the winner of the 2019 BP Portrait Award, amid mounting criticism of the prize’s sponsorship.

For his portrait of an English literature student wearing a fake fur coat, the Brighton-based artist was on Monday night awarded a ￡35,000 prize and a commission worth ￡7,000. The painting, Imara in her Winter Coat, was said to be inspired by Titian’s Portrait of Girolamo Fracastoro (c.1528).

Schaffer’s victory came after anti-BP protests at the National Portrait Gallery. Several artists who have previously been involved in the prize, including Paul Benney, Henry Christian-Slane, Raoul Martinez and Darvish Fakhr, support groups who criticise BP on environmental grounds.

One of the award’s judges, Gary Hume, wrote this week to the National Portrait Gallery’s director to protest.

“As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, the gallery will look more and more out of step by hosting an oil-branded art prize,” he argued.

“Continuing to promote BP as the climate crisis intensifies will do unacceptable damage to the NPG’s reputation, relationships and public trust. I urge you to commit now to finding an alternative.”

Further protests are scheduled to take place outside the Royal Opera House’s BP Big Screens event on Tuesday.