Bermuda mourns the passing of Canon Francis, a revered man of faith who lived an extraordinary 95 years. In his honor, celebrated artist Henry Ward painted a portrait capturing his essence. TNN’s Trevor Lindsay spoke with Ward, who shared his thoughts on the profound experience of working with such a distinguished subject.
Reflecting on Canon Francis, Ward described him as “a fascinating subject.” He observed that the first thing anyone noticed about the Canon was his levity. Though he was advanced in age, he carried himself with remarkable grace, his face barely touched by time. “I was painting him as part of my exhibition at the Bermuda National Gallery,” Ward said. “I asked him his secret to looking so young. He simply replied, ‘I let it go. I just don’t dwell on things and stay focused.’”
Ward was deeply moved by Canon Francis’s strong Christian faith. “His faith radiated in his demeanor,” Ward explained. “In the painting, I positioned his eyes raised, head tilted forward, as if he were already looking to his ultimate destination.” This intentional detail, along with the cross around Canon Francis’s neck and the softened irises that hinted at a lifetime in Bermuda’s sun, brought layers of depth to the work.
Creating the portrait was no quick endeavor. “It took about two and a half months,” Ward said, noting that the rich personality of Canon Francis required more time to capture fully. He incorporated intentional details like the golden cross and the softness of the Canon’s faded irises, signifying a life shaped by the sun and the warmth of Bermuda.
When asked about how he came to paint Canon Francis, Ward recounted a personal connection through his mother, Anna Cox, who lived in Devonshire and attended the Christ Church Devonshire where Canon Francis served as canon. “He had been our local Canon for many years,” Ward shared, reflecting on how that connection added personal meaning to the project.
Having painted for most of his life, Ward feels fortunate to work with individuals who carry a sense of otherworldliness, a quality he found in Canon Francis. “He was devout, self-effacing, very kind, and just wonderful to work with,” Ward said. “It’s a terrible loss to believe he has passed.”
As Ward hopes for the portrait to eventually find a permanent home, he expressed his desire for a donor to purchase it for public display, ideally in a national collection, so Canon Francis’s legacy can be cherished for generations. Interested patrons can view Ward’s work and reach him at his website, WilliamWard.com. His heartfelt tribute reminds us of Canon Francis’s gentle strength and enduring impact on the community of Bermuda.
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