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Saying that Heath Ledger gave an astonishing performance in “The Dark Knight” is bordering on the cliche these days. There is little doubt the late actor — whether he had tragically passed in January or not — offered the most memorable portrayal of the year.
Then today I found this bit of news from across the pound, and the inevitable crystallizes further. It seems an up-and-coming painter has rendered a large oil painting of the actor’s performance in one of the film’s most electrifying moments, a shot that is steadily becoming the role’s signature image:
The four foot high oil painting is part of an exhibition of White’s new works, that opens on Friday at the Opus Art gallery in Newcastle.
Explaining why he decided to paint it, Mr White, 36, said: “I was just putting the finishing touches to my show when I saw Batman.
“I was totally and utterly blown away. I saw the movie and just came into the studio straight away. I just had to make this image, to the best performance I had ever seen. It was teetering on insanity.”
I think that says it all.
The painting will accompany the exhibit to London in October, and man…I wish I was still there to see it.
7 responses so far
1 9-12-2008 at 2:12 pm
Mr. Gittes said...
Without a doubt, case closed, the role’s signature image is the one where Heath’s Joker has his head out of the police car window. That image will be in every dorm room for years to come. Move over Montana.
2 9-12-2008 at 2:30 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
I disagree. This one is much more prominent.
3 9-12-2008 at 2:45 pm
Mr. Gittes said...
I’m not sure where it’s prominent, but time will tell.
4 9-12-2008 at 2:50 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Promotional. This shot and the two shot in the interrogation sequence are by far the most utilized (and the Batman-on-the-cop-car shot as well, but we’re talking Joker stuff here, so…).
5 9-12-2008 at 3:03 pm
Mr. Gittes said...
Agreed. Promotional wise, you’re right. However, I’ve seen a lot of people change their facebook profile picture to the image that I’m arguing will be Heath’s signature moment. And many friends of mine think the scene in which I described was the “coolest.” All this may not mean anything, but I think time will prove my argument. After all, Kris, Nolan lingered on Heath starring at the sky; head out of the car-window, hair flapping, and licking his lips. That image will linger in the years to come.
6 9-12-2008 at 3:12 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
I think it will be a key moment, but advertising is king. The pic in this post will be a poster some day. I’m not so sure about the cop car.
But it sure as hell is an interesting debate!
7 10-15-2008 at 7:15 am
messi said...
seems the most ‘joker’ part that he did according to fans is walkng out of the exploding hospital. the only thing that was missing from ledger’s portrayal is a key joker moment like shooting someone at random and laughing.