Lady Mayor’s portrait competition champions early career artists
On Tuesday 21 April 2026, the official portrait of the first Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, was unveiled at Drapers Hall.
The result of the inaugural Lady/Lord Mayor’s Portrait Prize Competition – a programme led by the three companies of which Dame Susan is a member, to showcase and support emerging artistic talent – the portrait by artist, Josephine (Josie) Goddard draws on a rich blend of classical and contemporary influences to deliver a bold, simple and powerfully feminine representation of the first Lady Mayor.
Artist Josephine Goddard with her portrait of Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London
Inspired by works such as Self Portrait by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, and portraits of Judi Dench, the artist sought to capture a feminine presence through a refined yet striking composition that reflects admiration for the expressive brushwork of Diego Velázquez.
“Opportunities like this are incredibly rare this early in my career and I feel privileged that my work will become part of the long tradition of mayoral portraiture. I see myself as a contemporary painter, but one deeply informed by the elegance and technique of classical artists. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to paint Dame Susan’s chain and badge of office; I’ve always been fascinated by texture and reflective surfaces, and it’s amazing to capture something so intricate and steeped in history.”
Josie was selected from a highly competitive field of applicants drawn from alumni of leading institutions including the Royal College of Art, the Royal Academy, City & Guilds of London Art School, and The Royal Drawing School, and alongside a generous commission fee has received an educational travel award to support her continued study of portraiture in the cities and galleries of Europe.
Occupying a prominent position at Drapers’ Hall, the portrait will be the first work encountered by visitors entering the building. Set against the Hall’s dark wood panelling and alongside historic seventeenth-century paintings, it forms a contemporary addition to a distinguished artistic lineage.
Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London with her portrait by Josephine Goddard
“Having my portrait painted is not something I ever thought I would experience. But I have loved working with Josie and being involved in the whole process. It was very important to me that the competition championed the amazing young talent coming out of our universities and colleges. I wanted this portrait to not only capture the heritage of the office, but also a sense of openness and renewal. Josie has balanced that beautifully.”
Working closely with the judging panel and drawing inspiration from visits to the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery the Lady Mayor played an active role in shaping the brief for this historic portrait. She expressed a preference for portraits that convey an open, engaged presence through a clear and uncluttered composition, qualities that are reflected in the final work.
The 2025 Lady Mayor’s Portrait Prize Competition was managed and commissioned by the three livery companies that the Lady Mayor is a member of: The Drapers' Company, The Goldsmiths' Company, The Worshipful Company of Insurers.
The Master, Clerk and members of the Drapers Company, photographed with Josephine Goddard and her portrait of the Lady Mayor
“We are delighted with the outcome of this competition which has seen the emergence of a talented young artist (Jossie Goddard) produce the most realistic, contemporary and befitting portrait of the Lady Mayor, Alderwomen Dame Susan Langley DBE. Its subtle presence fits beautifully at the entrance to our Hall for all to admire.”
The Second Warden, Clerk and members of staff of the Goldsmiths’ Company, photographed with the Lady Mayor, artist Josephine Goddard and her portrait of the Lady Mayor
“Creating space and providing support for talented people to realise their potential sits at the heart of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s mission. It’s a value shared by Dame Susan Langley, who has put opportunity, talent and craft at the forefront of her year as the first Lady Mayor of the City of London.
We’re thrilled that Josephine Goddard was selected for the commission and delighted to see this lively likeness of the first lady Mayor of the City of London unveiled at Draper’s Hall. Josie’s tender, dignified portrait perfectly balances the warmth and kind heartedness that anyone who has met Sue will immediately recognise, with the eminence of her historic office.
We are incredibly proud that the first Lady mayor of the City of London is a Goldsmith.”
The Master, Clerk and members of the Insurers Company, photographed with Josephine Goddard and her portrait of the Lady Mayor
“The portrait and process undertaken to commission it reflects the values Dame Susan Langley champions - creating, fostering and delivering opportunities to others. I can imagine a young girl in several hundred years’ time being inspired by the portrait and its story to make her own contribution to the City of London. The Insurers are delighted to have played our part in supporting the Lady Mayor in the commissioning of this portrait and we congratulate Josie Goddard on her stunning achievement.”
Photographs ©Alex Rumford