About this artwork

The internationally acclaimed violinist Nicola Benedetti was born in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire. From the age of ten she attended the Yehudi Menuhin School in England, achieving fame as the BBC Young Musician of the Year at sixteen. Benedetti performs with major orchestras worldwide and her honours include the Queen’s Medal for Music (2017). She is President of the European String Teachers’ Association and leads the Benedetti Foundation which provides workshops for young people. Here she is depicted playing in Westminster Abbey. Calum Stevenson is the winner of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2021. This annual UK competition, shown on Sky Arts, aims to find a ‘star’ portrait artist. The commission to paint this portrait of Benedetti was the prize for winning the competition. Stevenson studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Glasgow School of Art. His work has been shortlisted for the Scottish Portrait Awards.

Published December 2021

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Calum Stevenson

Calum Stevenson