Celia Paul ('Portrait, Eyes Lowered')
- Artist: Celia Paul
- Date: 2019
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 10 in. x 10 in. (254 mm x 254 mm) image size
- Portrays: Celia Paul
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is "Portrait, Eyes Lowered" by Celia Paul. In this small square canvas—only ten inches on each side—the artist looks directly at us. Her own face occupies the space with a depth that invites us to linger. Notice the lowered gaze; her eyes rest beneath the line of her brows, creating a quiet, meditative moment. The palette is muted: deep greys and browns give it an ethereal glow. The oil paint glides smoothly, making the surface almost velvety. Paul painted this in 2019 as part of her long habit of self‑portraiture. Its intimate size pulls us into her inner world, letting us feel her quiet contemplation.
See it in person
Celia Paul ('Portrait, Eyes Lowered') is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
