Painting the Real Face of Bond, James Bond

Today’s opening of the 23^rd James Bond film, Skyfall, starring Daniel Craig as 007, marks a half century of “shaken, not stirred” spying action. One of the most iconic action figures in the history of film, Bond, James Bond represents a whole universe of personal style compiled through not just creator Ian Fleming’s novels (which began 60 years ago with Casino Royale), but also every actor since the original (and, to some, eternal) Bond, Sean Connery. To celebrate Bond’s 50^th Anniversary, film producers commissioned artist James Hart Dyke to create a commemorative poster featuring all six actors to don the tux, woo the ladies, and beat the bad guys. What makes this commission and poster especially fascinating is Hart Dyke’s previous experience painting the real spies of the British Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. In addition to all the glitz and the glam, Hart Dyke’s seen and painted the very real danger of being in Her Majesty’s Secret Service and looked upon the real face of James Bond. Please come over to Picture This at Big Think to read more of "Painting the Real Face of Bond, James Bond."

[Image: James Hart Dyke, Meeting an Agent, 2010. Oil on canvas, 55x75cm. Private collection. Copyright James Hart Dyke.]

[Many thanks to James Hart Dyke for providing the image above.]