Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell’s Portrait unveiled

In line with tradition, the University commissioned the portrait to mark the end of Nancy’s term as President and Vice-Chancellor. The event was not only an opportunity to showcase the portrait, but to celebrate Nancy’s leadership of the University and her role in supporting our prominent cultural and artistic institutions. 

The portrait unveiling was presided over by Chancellor of the University, Nazir Afzal. 

Before the unveiling, Nancy was also joined at an In Conversation on the topic of ‘why should universities support art?’ by other iconic women leaders from the world of arts and museums: Dr Maria Balshaw, Director of The Tate, Professor Sook-Kyung Lee, Director of the Whitworth, and Dr Carla van de Puttelaar, acclaimed Dutch portrait photographer. 

Nancy shared a picture by a stroke survivor to explain how drawing was a very important tool in the recovery process, being more fundamental than writing. She said that the arts and sciences should not be a career divide for young people and creativity is vital to the sciences as well as the arts. 

Maria Balshaw talked with passion about museums and galleries being places that bridge conflict and bring strangers together. Meanwhile, Carla van de Puttelaar talked about how the best art challenges us with new ways of thinking, like universities.  

Afterwards, guests gathered to see the new portrait unveiled by Nancy and the Chancellor. The consensus was that it had captured her personality and her role as President, with a blend of formality and light heartedness. 

“Not another oil painting” 

Whilst traditional for university leaders to have a portrait painted when they finish their role, Nancy chose to be photographed by Carla van de Puttelaar, who specialises in female portraits, shooting against black backgrounds and using only natural light. In particular, she is known for her series of portraits of prominent leading women from across the globe – from artists and directors to cultural policy makers.  

By capturing the image of our University’s first female President and Vice-Chancellor, this commission continues the important celebration of global women leaders in portraiture. 

“I really wanted to have a different kind of portrait, not another oil painting!” Nancy says. “So I was interested in having my photograph taken. Carla’s work really appealed to me – not only because she is a renowned female artist – but she is so good at capturing people naturally, with honesty and intensity.  

“I’ve really enjoyed working with her. Her professionalism and energy made this very interesting and fun for us both I hope people will like the final result as much as I do,”  

Watch how the portrait was created 

The process of creating the portrait has also been captured in a ‘fly on the wall’ film. The portrait will soon be displayed, along with portraits of previous University leaders, in The Christie Building, in the main University quad on Oxford Road.