Alumnus Awarded Acclaimed Portrait Award

May 13th 2025

Huge congratulations to talented artist and alumnus Jacob Skinnard (Cribb’s 2024) on winning The Royal Society of Portrait Painters The de Laszlo Foundation Award for his stunning portrait, Familiar Faces.

Jacob’s sophisticated oil painting of his father and Alleyn’s former Senior Deputy Head, Andy Skinnard, and his mother Beth, was first exhibited as part of the Alleyn’s Summer Show 2024, when Jacob was studying A level Art.

It is now on view at Mall Galleries as part of The Royal Society of Portrait Painters 2025 Annual Exhibition - the country’s leading portrait exhibition, celebrating the best in contemporary portraiture selected from both national and international submissions. The exhibition was opened by British historian and television presenter Sir Simon Schama, who is Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University.

On winning the award, Jacob said:

“Thank you so much to the de Laszlo Foundation and the entire Royal Society of Portrait Painters team for selecting me as the winner of the de Laszlo Foundation award.”

Speaking about the Annual Exhibition opening, he said:

"I can 100% say I’ve never seen a room filled with more impressive work. The diversity of artwork and talent of all exhibiting artists is unreal, and I count myself extremely lucky to show my art alongside them. This is my first time exhibiting with the RP and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”

The de Laszlo Foundation award, sponsored by the de Laszlo Foundation, aims to encourage young artists. It is awarded to an artist under 35 years old judged to have submitted the best portrait.

Many congratulations Jacob on this very well-deserved award!

Catch Jacob’s portrait at London’s Mall Galleries until 17 May and see more of Jabob’s work on his Instagram page.