An official portrait of former SDLP leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume has been unveiled in the House of Commons this evening.
Painted by the critically acclaimed Co Down-based artist Colin Davidson, the portrait of the former MP for Foyle now hangs in Portcullis House.
It was painted over a number of weeks at the artist's studio and is based on sketches he made during sittings with Mr Hume in 2016, four years before he died.
First elected to the Foyle constituency in 1983, John Hume was MP for the area for 22 years.
Born in Derry in 1937, he was a leading figure in the Northern Irish civil rights movement and was leader of the SDLP from 1979 to 2001, as well as being one of the key architects of the peace process and Good Friday Agreement.
He also served in the European Parliament from 1979 to 2004 and was a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1998 to 2000.
In 1998, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace alongside the late David Trimble, former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, "for their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland".
John Hume's son John Junior and grandchildren Oliver and Rachel travelled from Dublin for the unveiling.
John Jnr said it was quite an emotional moment seeing the portrait for the first time.
"This portrait, more than anything else I have ever seen, gets him completely," he said.
"At that time, Dad would have had quite advanced dementia but that's not that portrait, here you can see that clarity of vision, you can see that determination.
"Colin has captured a moment when the dementia wasn't there," he said.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was right that John Hume's portrait should hang in the House of Commons alongside other great parliamentarians.
"He used this place to get real change for the people of Ireland," said Mr Eastwood.
Following a proposal from South Belfast MP Claire Hanna of the SDLP, the House of Commons Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art commissioned the portrait as a permanent addition to the Parliamentary Art Collection.
The committee said the portrait was to recognise Mr Hume's "important role in promoting peace and reconciliation across Northern Ireland, Britain and the Republic of Ireland".
Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, 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."
Mr Davidson has won international recognition for his portraits and is considered one of Northern Ireland's most important artists.
Previous portraits include the late Queen Elizabeth II, President Michael D Higgins, former US president Bill Clinton, former German chancellor Angela Merkel, David Trimble, former DUP leader Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness.
"Six years ago, I was honoured to spend time with John Hume, drawing and sketching a man who had become a personal hero for me," he said.
"Over the last year, I have revisited these drawings and created something new, a different portrait painting which, I hope, captures John's focused vision and strength of character.
"John meant so much to so many people across these islands. We would not have peace in this part of the world without him, so it is appropriate that this new portrait of John Hume will hang in Westminster now for people to visit and hopefully draw inspiration from. I am grateful to both the committee - and of course the Hume family - for the privilege."
The portrait of Mr Hume is situated alongside other artworks from the Parliamentary Art Collection, in the publicly accessible area of the first floor of Portcullis House.
Full installation of the work is expected to be complete early next year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Davidson said he remembered the active input Mr Hume had to peace, "the whole idea that we wouldn't be in the more positive place that that we are now without him, and I think he got that".
"So, we're seeing a man looking out at us," Mr Davidson said.
"He's engaging directly with us and, very critically for me as the artist, he's adjusting his glasses and to me that from a metaphorical point of view as well, that also indicates to me that he's aware of everybody else before him.
"And also, he is very much adjusting his view on what is outside on the work that needs to be done. And those are the things that I hope that people can see in the painting."
