Lincoln Townley

Lincoln Townley was born in 1972 in Hackney, London, and has emerged as a bold force in 21st-century portraiture.

Townley’s work melds figuration with abstraction, using expressive brushwork and visceral colour to evoke psychological tension. His signature “Banker” portraits depict suited business figures with distorted faces emerging from dark, abyssal backgrounds—commentary on greed, power, vulnerability, and ambition.

Comparisons to Francis Bacon are frequent, especially for the existential and grotesque qualities present in his imagery.

Notably, he has served as artist-in-residence for BAFTA LA, Marriott Canary Wharf, and Hilton Hotels, painting high-profile figures and expanding his reach with collectors including Al Pacino, Michael Caine, John Cleese, and Cate Blanchett. Michael Caine reportedly called him “the next Andy Warhol”
Townley’s works have commanded strong auction results: his portrait of Muhammad Ali sold for $623,000 in 2017, and diamond‑encrusted pieces have fetched over £1 million at Sotheby’s and private sales.