“Colchester: Royal artist’s portrait of Mandela”
The Essex County Standard July 2008
Royal artist Richard Stone has fulfilled a lifetime ambition - and helped to raise £400,000 for charity.
Mr Stone, who lives near Colchester, was asked to paint a portrait of iconic civil rights leader Nelson Mandela as part of his 90th birthday celebrations.
The painting was sold to Hollywood stars Will Smith, Emma Thompson and Uma Thurman through an auction at a dinner in Hyde Park which was held to celebrate Mr Mandela's birthday and to promote his charity projects.