Mr Hynek Martinec, an upcoming Czech Artist and the BP Portrait Award 2007 and BP Visitor Choice Award laureate, presented his first British portrait commission at the residence of the Czech Ambassador on 20th September 2007. His portrait of Charlotte was unveiled in the presence of Mr Jacob Simon, Chief Curator of the National Portrait Gallery.

Born in the Czech Republic, Hynek Martinec graduated from the Prague Academy of Fine Arts in 2005. In 2003 he was awarded the Academy Studio Prize. He has had solo exhibitions in Paris and Prague. His works feature in private as well as public collections in Vienna, Miami, New York, London (National Portrait Gallery) and Prague (National Gallery). Currently based in London, the artist also works in Paris and Prague.

Hynek's acclaimed portrait photorealistically captures his girlfriend, fabric designer Miss Zuzana Jungmanova wearing sunglasses in his Paris studio. The much-debated photographic precision of Martinec's brushwork results in striking detail in the execution of the sitter's hair and skin as well as the reflections in her sunglasses.