The artist himself has described his mode of painting as “a cross-pollination between old and new, or neoclassical portraiture.” Riffing on pop culture and fashion magazines, Stichbury’s subjects are “characterised by a graphic flatness and minute attention to detail,” and described by Justin Paton as possessing “nearly oppressive flawlessness.”

An online biography states, “His subjects share glossy complexions and overstated facial elements, the most striking of which are wide-set eyes and a mesmerising middle-distance gaze.” The two works included in this catalogue present a meaningful cross-section of Stichbury’s artistic oeuvre.

As standalone works, each is a fine example of the technical approach...