Dr. Matthew Hogg is a senior obstetrician and gynecologist at the Royal London Hospital in Tower Hamlets. The subject of Lisa Timmerman’s eighth portrait is described as a skilled and compassionate doctor who also has a great sense of humour.
He was nominated by colleague and friend Dr. Fiona Donnelly, who said:
“Matt was due to take a step back and reduce his hours this year, after running his department with huge amounts of unpaid overtime for several years, but typically has thrown himself back into the deep end to support patients and colleagues through the COVID-19 crisis. He looks after his medical and nursing teams so well and never in a million years would he nominate himself for a portrait.”
Though it is a simple composition against a bright backdrop, Lisa experiments with artificial light cascading down Hogg’s protective face covering. She also plays with texture in the folds of the very iconic NHS blue uniform. From the original photo, his eyes are kind and inviting but also understandably tired. His warm and flushed complexion animate Hogg as someone with both a physically and emotionally demanding job.
Reflecting on this experience, Lisa has commented:
“It’s been a great honour to paint Matthew and learn a little about him and see the humour in his eyes. I kept the painting simple so that it was a moment that was just about him and for him, a very special man […] Thank you to Fiona for telling me about this lovely man and exceptional friend”.
Photographed below is Matthew and Fiona having received the portrait, both embracing one another and with beaming smiles. This painting will immortalise their incredible efforts during an extraordinarily challenging period in their careers and lives.
To view more of Lisa’s portraits of NHS Heroes and read their stories, visit her website.
A Painter's Life 