Self-portrait of John Bellany, R.A., 1966

John Bellany RA (1942 - 2013)

RA Collection: Art

Bellany was born into a family of fishermen and boat builders and brought up as a strict Calvinist in the village of Port Seton, near Edinburgh. The sea and religion remained constant influences throughout his life.

In this self-portrait, Bellany includes a wooden cross around his neck and seagulls circling behind, identifying himself with the fishermen who became disciples of Christ. 'And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. The He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18-20).

The self-portrait dates from Bellany's student days at the Royal College of Art. It was presented to the RA by Carel Weight, who was head of the Painting School at the Royal College of Art when Bellany was a student there.