The first sight of my portrait is by j-peg. Catherine has sent me a digital image to inspect. What’s the verdict ? First off, it’s a bit of a shock. She said my brow had been getting higher and higher. But the Mekon ? Then I remember that the sitter is the least good judge of a portrait, being familiar only with the image in the mirror in the morning and photographs, which always lie. It’s as much an interpretation of character as it is a strict likeness. It’s good on the physicality of a head, its three-dimensionality. Besides, it’s quite wrong to judge it without seeing it. The verdict at home is that it’s particularly good on the eyes and eyebrows:
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
congratulations…quite a fine portrait…you should be pleased
Glad you like it ! Book is making good progress. Charles
I think you are more urbane and less craggy. And the brow does seem un’ po’ esagerata. But people say portraits come into their own ten years on.
Yes, it takes time to sink in… Charles
Down to your mouth is very good. You look very thoughtful
Yikes. (Sorry). Posterity might find your account of its painting more interesting.