An original portrait by renowned portrait artist Don Bachardy, painted at his Santa Monica, Calif., studio in August, was formally unveiled Sunday night in the home of the subject of the painting, Falls Church News-Press owner Nicholas F. Benton.
Bachardy is known in California as a premiere portrait artist to the stars, and his portrait of former Gov. Jerry Brown is the governor’s official portrait hanging in the state capitol in Sacramento. Bachardy is also well-known as the long-time companion of the late author Christopher Isherwood. The two had a 35-year relationship until Isherwood died in 1986.
Benton was invited by Bachardy, now age 76, for a sitting in August. Bachardy commented that the work was “one of the best I have done in a long time.”
A gathering of about 20 at Benton’s Falls Church home were present for the unveiling, which included an exhibition of Isherwood writings, including a DVD of the Academy Award-nominated film, “A Single Man,” based on his novel that was released last winter. A segment from the documentary video about Isherwood and Bachardy, entitled “Chris and Don, A Love Story,” was also shown.