Principal’s portrait unveiled

29 January 2020

To mark his retirement at the end of this academic year, Principal Will Hutton today unveiled a new portrait commissioned from artist Bob Tulloch.

Speaking to a packed audience of staff and fellows, Will and Bob explained the creative process behind the painting, which featured six sittings (or ‘standings’) in the spring. Both artist and sitter were keen to make the most of the beautiful morning light in our OB Quad, as well as the iconic view of our Chapel tower and the Radcliffe Camera.

Will’s portrait will be unique with this outdoor setting, as the other portraits currently displayed in the Hall all have internal settings. Bob also set out to paint a subtly provocative portrait, emphasising Will’s non-traditional route to the Principalship. Educated at a state school and never an Oxbridge student himself, Will has been cast as an ‘outsider’ or someone breaking the mould in painting, following in Hertford’s proud tradition of open access.

Bob Tulloch, personally chosen by Will, attended Oxford’s Ruskin School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, where he studied drawing, photography, painting and screenprinting. He completed his first portrait commission while still a student and his work can be seen in several Oxford colleges, as well as the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Collection. See more of his work on his website.

The new portrait is yet to find its forever home, which will be decided by the time Will hands over the reigns in the summer. Read more about our new Principal-elect, Tom Fletcher, on our news pages.