Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie — Portrait Sitting

Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie — Portrait Sitting - Copyright © Rory Lewis Non Profit (Heroes in Focus), All Rights Reserved. The Heroes in Focus non-profit is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. EIN 33-2920765 All contributions to Heroes in Focus are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.

One of the most meaningful opportunities through my non-profit archive has been the privilege of photographing senior figures within the British Armed Forces. Among these sittings, capturing a British Field Marshal stands as both an artistic milestone and a moment of profound historical significance.

The rank of Field Marshal is the most senior in the British Army—a five-star designation first introduced in 1736 by King George II. Since then, only 138 individuals have held this rank. Today, it is conferred sparingly and symbolically, often upon members of the Royal Family or distinguished commanders whose service exemplifies leadership and duty at the highest level. Though largely honorary in the modern era, the rank continues to embody centuries of tradition and national pride.

In 2017, I wrote to several living Field Marshals, seeking to document their likeness for posterity. To my great honour, Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the General Staff and later Chief of the Defence Staff, graciously agreed to sit for a portrait in London.

Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie — Portrait Sitting - Copyright © Rory Lewis Non Profit (Heroes in Focus), All Rights Reserved. The Heroes in Focus non-profit is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. EIN 33-2920765 All contributions to Heroes in Focus are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.

Lord Guthrie’s illustrious career spans decades of service with the Welsh Guards and the Special Air Service (SAS). He played key advisory roles during operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Kosovo, and in 2012, he was awarded the Field Marshal’s Baton by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The baton itself—an ancient emblem of command with origins in Rome—remains one of the most enduring symbols of authority and service. In British tradition, it is crafted from red velvet and adorned with the image of St George slaying the dragon, inscribed personally by the Sovereign. It embodies duty, honour, and the enduring weight of command.

Inspired by the great portraitists of history—Sir Thomas Lawrence, who painted the Duke of Wellington, and John Singer Sargent, whose works defined Edwardian military grandeur—I sought to create an image in dialogue with that lineage. I also studied early photographic works by Alexander Bassano, who famously captured Field Marshal Douglas Haig in 1921.

For Lord Guthrie’s portrait, I selected a deep red velvet backdrop, symbolising courage and the heritage of the Red Coat. His full ceremonial uniform, adorned with medals and orders, carried both splendour and substance. I used directional, sculptural lighting, designed to reveal every detail and texture. This was not a portrait meant to flatter—it was intended to document history.

Shot from a low angle, Lord Guthrie stands towering and resolute, his presence both commanding and contemplative. The result reflects not only his stature within the Armed Forces but also the quiet humanity behind the uniform.

Through my non-profit, these portraits serve as more than images—they stand as visual testaments to leadership, sacrifice, and the enduring human story of military service. Each sitting contributes to an expanding archive dedicated to education, remembrance, and the preservation of legacy.

This was my first portrait of a British Field Marshal—a defining moment in my continuing mission to capture the intersection of history, art, and duty.