A new portrait of Professor Margaret Stanley, OBE, by Miriam Escofet hangs in the Hall.
Honorary Fellow, Professor Stanley is Emeritus Professor of Epithelial Biology at the University of Cambridge. Her research focusses on human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of cervical cancer, and vaccines to prevent HPV infection.
Professor Stanley said:
“I think that it is a stunning portrait, I look happy, and I am delighted that the artist saw me this way.”
Ms Escofet, who painted the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, is a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.
She works on only one painting at a time. This portrait in oils was made over a period of four months including a week of sittings with Professor Stanley in the Drawing Room of the Master’s Lodge.
Ms Escofet said:
“This proved to be invaluable time spent with her, getting to know her and allowing the idea for the composition to slowly form in my head.”
This is the first time that Professor Stanley has had her portrait painted. She said:
“It was made very easy and enjoyable by Miriam who was so easy to talk to, funny, interesting and totally engaging. She made the sittings a positive experience.”
Professor Stanley is seated in front of a marine painting by Francis Holman which Ms Escofet describes as ‘adding a hinterland to the setting’. As an artist, she also enjoys the idea of a painting within a painting.
The globe is included because Professor Stanley has travelled the world in the course of her work.
Professor Stanley said:
“It means a very great deal to me that the Fellows of my College have honored me in this way, and I thank the Master and Fellows.”