Theatre impresario Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has commissioned an expansive painting of London society elite from Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood. The 15ft-by-8ft work, entitled London Dining, depicts 30 celebrity and media darlings lounging at posh eaterie The Ivy, and will likely hang at the Drury Lane theatre before taking up residence at the trendy Tate Modern.
“Nothing like these paintings exists in our time,” says Andrew, who aims to revive the lost Victorian art of painting social scenes. “There are a few pictures of racing events and there is a fine portrait of the House of Lords in session… but to the best of my knowledge nobody has painted anything of ordinary contemporary London life.”
“Restaurants became the talking point of London in the 1990s and, of these, none has come near to The Ivy as London’s top watering hole,” says Andrew. “It is where many colourful powerbrokers from all walks of life don the nosebag.”
Ivy regulars were asked to name their favourite dining companions, and thus the “guest list” for the work was born. Model and actress Elizabeth Hurley chose her ex-flame Hugh Grant while Elton John named his partner David Furnish as well as Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and journalist Janet Street-Porter. No word on the other subjects, though those involved insist everyone featured will be Ivy regulars.
The Covent Garden establishment counts Jerry Hall, Madonna, Kate Moss, Jack Nicholson and Salman Rushdie among its A-list clientele.
Ronnie, an alumnus of Ealing College of Art, has spent five months on the piece and will auction sketches from the project for charity.
Lloyd Webber is a fan of Ronnie’s work, and previously purchased a portrait of Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
