The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra has put in place a new portrait of actor Hugh Jackman, painted by Vincent Fantauzzo, as the man, rather than the Hollywood star.

It was commissioned by the gallery in recognition of Jackman's "incredible success on the international stage and screen, as well as his involvement with several charitable and philanthropic causes including World Vision and the Global Poverty Project".

It's a portrait of the pandemic. Jackman had an initial sitting for Fantauzzo but then COVID-19 thwarted any subsequent meetings. Jackman returned to New York and artist and subject continued to meet by Zoom.

Fantauzzo also enlisted the help of Jackman's long-time partner Deborra-Lee Furness, who sent him videos and photographs of Jackman as he relaxed at home.

"There's a look in Hugh's eyes, it's a moment in a conversation with someone he knows and trusts," Fantauzzo said.

"It's not a GQ photo shoot. There's a love and intimacy, a side of Hugh that's not the showman, it's not Wolverine. I want people to walk in, see the portrait of Hugh and feel a real connection."

The painting was commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation and live music promoter Paul Dainty and his wife Donna Dainty.

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Sandra Bruce, NPG director of collections and exhibitions said the portrait of Jackman was striking in its complexity.

"This is an excellent example of hyperrealism, where the artist's accuracy and technical expertise combine with an ability to capture the subject's character and likeness," she said.

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"On closer look, subtle hints of layered, organic (almost unruly) mark-making emerge, and it is with this embedded element of free expression that the artist cleverly gets to the authentic heart of his sitter."

The Jackman portrait is now on display in the NPG's Collection Galleries.

You can also see it online here

(And, as an aside, Fantauzzo's wide, actress Asher Keddie, has worked with Jackman, making a cameo in X-Men Origins: Wolverine as Dr Carol Frost.)

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