Portrait of John Hume unveiled in House of Commons

An official portrait of the late John Hume will be unveiled on Monday in Westminster, following a commission from the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art.

Painted by Colin Davidson, the portrait of the former MP for Foyle will hang in Portcullis House, one of the busiest buildings on the Parliamentary Estate, and marks the contribution the Nobel Peace Prize winner made during his 22 years as a Westminster MP.

Painted over a number of weeks at Davidson’s studio in Northern Ireland, it is based on sketches the artist made during sittings with Hume in 2016 – four years before he died.

John Hume was a leading figure in the Northern Irish civil rights movement. He was leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) from 1979 to 2001 and one of the key architects of the peace process.

In 1998 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace alongside David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party ‘for their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland’.

Following a proposal from Claire Hanna, the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art commissioned the portrait as a permanent addition to the Parliamentary Art Collection – recognising Hume’s important role in promoting peace and reconciliation across Northern Ireland, Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP said: “John Hume was one of the true giants of Northern Irish politics. An advocate for democracy across these islands and beyond, it was important for the House to ensure that Hume was finally represented in the Collection.

“He was also one of the most important and impactful parliamentarians of his generation, and is greatly missed by colleagues and Members - both here in Westminster and in Europe. Colin Davidson has captured a wonderful likeness, and the Committee and I are delighted to accept this work into the Parliamentary Art Collection.”