Portrait of Omai rendered in gestural fuschia

Elizabeth Peyton

Mai (Afterlife) after Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai), 1776

€1,000

100

Sold out

Love this work?

Our collectors sometimes rotate their collections and let us know when they would like to sell a work. Make an offer if you're interested in this piece and we'll connect you with matching artworks.

In support of the National Portrait Gallery in London, Elizabeth Peyton depicts the subject of Reynolds’ eighteenth century portrait in gestural fuchsia.

Reynolds’ original painting portrays Mai – a Pacific Islander from Raiatea who travelled to England in 1773 and became a prominent figure in aristocratic society – at full length, barefoot in flowing robes. In her rendition, Peyton focuses entirely on Mai’s face, which she renders evocatively in loose strokes of oil paint.

Peyton’s artwork has been meticulously translated into a 15-layer, limited edition silkscreen in close collaboration artisan printmakers at Make-Ready in London – one of a pair of editions launched in support of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Re-opening in June 2023, the Gallery's diversified collection focuses on presenting an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom.

Mai (Afterlife) after Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai), 1776, 2023, silkscreen print © Elizabeth Peyton.

Go deeper

03:13

Behind the scenes

Elizabeth Peyton

3 collaborations

Elizabeth Peyton creates gestural, atmospheric paintings and works on paper that attest to the psychical and emotional depths of the people she paints. Her artworks map out delicate negotiations between beauty, desire, and the pictorial image. Peyton finds feeling in all that she depicts. Whether it's people from her own milieu or figures from history, literature, music or film, she always renders each scene with the intensity of her own particular humanism – a close and loving look at humanity. In each figure's uniqueness, she reveals the universal emotions that connect us to each other and to art, and which stretch from our present moment back through time.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

The work is exceptional and looks fantastic. Thanks for doing a beautiful job executing and shipping it, very much appreciated.
Review of Actual Size
very impressed with the quality of packaging and the high level finish of thr framing & artwork! look forward to pucharing more pieces in the future.
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
Fantastic work, fantastic customer experience
Review of Lost in Time
Excellent service, together with an exceptional work of art!
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
The best print buying experience I've had by far. Thank you for all the effort.
Review of Chromie Squiggle #8107
The Avant Arte team is all around top notch. Excellent communication and everything is always packaged so thoughtfully. A+
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations
the presentation when I received this was everything and perfect. First time purchasing from AA but very impressed with all the attention to detail from the glove placement to packaging.
Review of Guardian
absolutely impeccable service!
Review of Contemplar al Otro en Tarde Rosa

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Few left

Peter HalleyRising High II€4,000

Available

Trudy BensonRed Sky€459

Draw

Dominique FungHandheld Fan€1,150

Closing on 22 July

Upcoming

Carrie Mae WeemsUntitled (Man and mirror)€750

Starts on 23 July