Nigel Farage portrait worth £25k fails to attract single bid at Royal Academy Summer exhibition falls flat for ‘Mr Brexit’

Nigel Farage is the poster boy of Brexit, but art lovers did not want his picture hanging on their wall after a portrait of the former Ukip leader failed to attract a single bid at an exclusive exhibition.

A painting of Mr Farage by the celebrated Welsh artist David Griffiths was listed as part of the Royal Academy’s summer show for £25,000.

But the portrait, showing the arch-Brexiteer in his trademark Del Boy-style Covert coat, clearly did not appeal to art fans visiting this year’s show as it did not secure a single bid.

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The inclusion of Mr Farage in the exhibition divided opinion on social media.

A very politicised @royalacademy Summer Exhibition this year. The only unsold painting is here shown. Clever artist made a portrait of Nigel Farage ‘to make the point’: nobody wants you. #artneverlies #artssavelives pic.twitter.com/ywN5D1mttS — Fulvio D'Acquisto (@FulvioDAcquisto) August 18, 2018

Grayson Perry must have had fun with the juxtaposition of these paintings at the Royal Academy.On the right is Nigel Farage portrait, on the left is a painting of an erect penis being caressed.The portrait is unsold at £25,000 the penis went for £2500. Must be a message somewhere pic.twitter.com/kuZiDLHh5X — David Hencke (@davidhencke) August 17, 2018

Farage’s face

Mr Griffiths has painted a raft of famous faces including the Prince of Wales, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and former prime minister Lord Callaghan.

However, he said he was not disappointed that his latest portrait had failed in attracting any bidders in this year’s show.

He told The Sun: “These things ebb and flow.

“Prices of paintings like everything else, aren’t set in stone. It would certainly be gratifying if Nigel’s portrait were to find a good home.”

Mr Brexit

The artist painted Mr Farage after a mutual friend got in touch to suggest him as a subject.

Mr Griffiths added: “He is a major figure, whatever you think of him. He’s Mr Brexit isn’t he?”

The first Leave Means Leave rally will take place in Bolton on Sat 22nd Sept. Get your tickets now and RT to spread the word! https://t.co/CUjkPEa9vt pic.twitter.com/L9QYKoBqkI — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) August 28, 2018

Mr Farage recently stated he will re-enter frontline politics in a bid to put pressure on Theresa May’s plans for Brexit.

The 54-year-old has joined the pro-Brexit Leave Means Leave campaign group on a roadshow in an attempt to prevent the Government pursuing a “softer Brexit”.