Silver / 2023 / Portraiture / Personality

Sir Simon Michael Schama CBE FBA FRHistS FRSL

This portrait of the British historian of Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewish descent recognises the influence of 20th century history that weighs significantly on Schama's own life and personality. Here black and white is used conceptually to offer a historical context and to evoke the terror of his forebears. Every life is equally significant but the greatest intellect, even genius cannot save us from tyranny.

Richard Ansett’s images are in permanent and private collections including the National Portrait Galleries of London and Canada, Bibliotheque Nationale de France and the Smithsonian. His images have been part of major collaborative exhibitions worldwide. His images have won the Arte Laguna Prize 2013 and Grand Prix de la Decouverte 2013 and received the gold award at Prix de la Photographie in 2011,