
Six Women Surgeons: Portraits by Jane Brettle
1st January–31st December 2008
These portraits were commissioned in 2008 to celebrate six surgeons who have played an important role in the work of the College, and in raising the profile of women in surgery
Jane Brettle’s art explores the relationship between museum collections and the presence of the ‘body’ in relation to gender, most recently through portraiture. This work was developed in response to sculpture and paintings in the College’s collections.Within this process she has also asked the question ‘who, historically has been considered a suitable subject to be displayed in these institutions and who is missing?’
In some instances the work begins as a solitary personal exploration; but all her portraits develop as collaboration, or shared experience between the artist and her ‘subjects’.
The use of colour and scale are important elements in her photographs in that they ‘mimic’ the painted portrait in museum collections, making references to history of art and photography. The use of a traditional 5x4 large format camera and portable studio lighting creates a sense of occasion or performance.
In 2017 the College commissioned a portrait of the first Woman President. This joins the other six portraits of eminent women Surgeons who have been Vice President of the College.
These striking images are now on public display at the College of Surgeons building in Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.