Official Dame Vera Lynn portrait for VE Day to be auctioned
A new official portrait of Dame Vera Lynn has been unveiled to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Artist Dan Llywelyn Hall used video recordings and photographs of the singer, now 103, taken by her family during the lockdown period for the piece.
The oil on canvas painting, entitled The Enduring Sweetheart, has been commissioned to raise funds for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity.
Llywelyn Hall, from Cardiff, said: “Dame Vera’s music has epitomised the human spirit in times of strife and is still at work as the nation’s moraleboosting sweetheart.
“She communicates longing of the soul in times of estrangement and is our herald of optimism during dark times of our nation.” The portrait has been placed for auction on ebay to raise funds for the charity, with people also able to buy limited edition prints.
Dame Vera, the original Forces’ Sweetheart, became known for her morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War.
Her most famous hit, We’ll Meet Again, will be sung by the nation just after 9pm on Friday.
She recently released a duet of the song with Katherine Jenkins to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
Speaking of the portrait,
Jenkins said: “Dame Vera is a true icon, beloved by many and an inspiration to me personally. Her songs provided a soundtrack of comfort to the nation and she continues to boost morale today.
“It’s wonderful to see her honoured in this beautiful portrait and I hope it raises lots of much-needed funds for her charity.”
Elaine Page described the portrait as a “fitting tribute” to Dame Vera and said she reminded people of the “courage and strength of character” needed to overcome adversity.
“She will forever be our enduring sweetheart,” she said.
Dame Vera established her charity in 2001 and it has since helped more than 600 familiesfromacrossthesouth-east of England who have children with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments.
Like many charities, its ability to raise funds has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.