Discover the fascinating story of Stuart Pearson Wright, the acclaimed artist who painted Sachin Tendulkar’s portrait for Lord’s, despite having never seen the cricket legend play.
An Unlikely Artist for a Sporting Icon
When Stuart Pearson Wright first met Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai in 2007, he was remarkably unaware of his immense fame. A rare Briton with no interest in cricket, Wright humorously attributes his disinterest in sports to a PE teacher who overlooked kids not skilled in football.
Despite his lack of cricket knowledge, Wright was commissioned by the MCC to paint Tendulkar’s portrait, which now hangs prominently at Lord’s museum. For him, the goal was not a biography but to “capture the sense of the individual” and respond to the “person’s humanity.”
Capturing Sachin’s Essence
Wright describes Sachin as “very quiet and humble” off the pitch, a stark contrast to the “tiger” he was told Tendulkar became while batting. This duality is reflected in the portrait, which captures the cricket maestro’s “steely eyes” and “fierce focus.”
Lord’s specifically requested a “very photographic style of likeness” for this particular painting, a departure from Wright’s usual practice of distorting or elongating facial features. The oil painting on an aluminum surface took five to six weeks to complete and received Sachin’s approval.
A Career Forged by Drive
Now approaching 50, Stuart Pearson Wright’s big break came in 2001 when he won the prestigious BP Portrait Award at just 25. This prize enabled him to buy a house, kickstarting a period of intense work where he often worked six months straight without a day off.
His working-class upbringing instilled a strong drive to succeed. This determination even led him to stop British actor John Hurt on the street and ask him to pose for a portrait, which he later sold to the National Portrait Gallery. Wright humorously dismisses the myth of artistic inspiration, stating that for him, painting is a job—a way to provide for his family.
Encounters with Other Indian Legends
During his 2007 visit to Mumbai, Wright also painted portraits of other Indian cricket legends: Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, and Dilip Vengsarkar. He fondly recalls Bishan Singh Bedi as “very funny, full of life,” who jokingly questioned why a non-cricket fan was sent to paint him.
Kapil Dev reminded Wright of his antiques-dealer mother, always “looking for a deal.” Kapil proposed a joint venture: Wright would paint him, Kapil would sign it, they’d sell it, and share the profits. Though it never materialized, Wright enjoyed their conversations.
However, his encounter with Dilip Vengsarkar was more dramatic. A “friend” of Vengsarkar, who turned out to be a journalist, entered the art school during an exam period to take photos, causing a media frenzy. Wright’s artistic “revenge” is subtly depicted in Vengsarkar’s portrait, where he is shown bowled out under dark, stormy clouds.
- Artist Stuart Pearson Wright painted Sachin Tendulkar’s portrait for Lord’s despite having no interest in cricket.
- Lord’s requested a realistic, photographic style for Tendulkar’s portrait, a unique requirement for Wright.
- Wright had memorable, and sometimes dramatic, encounters with other Indian cricket legends during his commission.
Wright’s journey highlights that sometimes, a fresh perspective, unburdened by preconceptions, can truly capture the essence of a subject.
