Elizabeth Taylor, 2026
Acrylic on linen
Canvas dimensions: 47.2 in. x 39.37 in. / 120 cm. x 100 cm.
Framed dimensions: 53.5 in. x 45.6 in. / 136 cm. x 116 cm.
“When I was asked to create a work for amfAR, Elizabeth Taylor immediately felt like the person I wanted to paint.
“Of course, she was extraordinarily beautiful and one of the most recognizable women in the world, but that isn’t really what drew me to her. It was what she chose to do with that recognition.
“At a time when HIV and AIDS carried enormous fear and stigma, Elizabeth refused to look away. She used her voice, her influence, and her humanity to stand alongside people who desperately needed to be seen and heard. Her relationship with amfAR makes painting her for this particular evening feel incredibly meaningful.
“I wanted the portrait to have the glamour and presence that we associate with Elizabeth, but also strength. I hope when you look at her eyes you see something beyond the Hollywood icon, a woman with determination, courage, and compassion.
“The finished work measures 120 cm. x 100 cm., and is painted in acrylic on linen. I wanted the scale to give Elizabeth a real presence, something that holds you when you stand in front of her.
“Knowing that something I’ve created can play even a small part in supporting amfAR’s work makes this a very special painting for me.”
– Zara Muse