Memorial art: a painted portrait in memory of someone you loved
A hand-painted portrait from your own photograph, of a person or a pet, made by a professional artist.
Most memorial gifts are chosen quickly, under pressure, and forgotten within a year. A painted portrait is the opposite kind of object: it takes time to make, it is kept, and it eventually stops being a reminder of a loss and becomes simply a presence in the room.
We work from the photographs you already have. A phone picture is usually enough. One of our artists paints the piece by hand, in the medium and format you choose, and you see the work in progress before it is finished. It is not a print of a photograph and not a filter: it is an original painting, signed.
The same applies to an animal. A pet memorial portrait is one of our most frequent commissions, and for many households it is the only image of the animal that exists at a size worth hanging.
Featured original paintings
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Concerning the Spiritual in Art and in Painting in Particular
Dimensions: 198 x 107 cm | 78 x 42 in
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Painted by real professional artists
Every painting is an original, signed by one of the 249 professional artists represented by L'Original.
Meet the artists
Written by
Dorian Verdier
Founder of L'Original · HEC academic author on the democratization of art
Dorian Verdier founded the first gallery of its kind in North America and has spent ten years making original art accessible. His academic work at HEC focuses on the democratization of art, the same conviction that guides every collection on L'Original.
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Frequently asked questions
What photograph do you need?
The one that looks most like them, not the sharpest one.
A phone photograph works. If the face is small or blurred, send several images of the same person or animal and the artist reconstructs the features from all of them. We will tell you honestly if a photograph is not usable.
How long does a memorial portrait take?
Usually three to six weeks, depending on the format and the artist's schedule.
If you have a date that matters, a birthday, an anniversary or a service, tell us at the start: we will say whether it is possible rather than promise and miss it.
What does a memorial portrait cost?
It depends on the format and the artist.
A small format starts in the same range as a catalogue piece, and the estimate is given before anything begins, with no obligation. There is no charge for the initial conversation.
Can I commission a portrait for someone else who is grieving?
Yes, and it is a common request from families and colleagues.
If you are not sure the person is ready to receive it, we can prepare everything and hold the commission until you say so. We can also send a card describing the piece rather than the piece itself, so they choose the moment.
Do you paint pets as well as people?
Yes. Dogs, cats, horses and less common companions.
The approach is the same: we work from your photographs, the artist paints by hand, and the piece is an original.
Where should a memorial portrait be hung?
Somewhere it is met in passing rather than confronted: a hallway, a stair wall, a corner of a living room.
Many families find that a piece placed in a room of daily life settles faster than one hung directly opposite a chair.
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