Still on the topic of breaking the glass ceiling, Obiter was more than impressed by Inner Temple’s newly unveiled painting of the inn’s five lady justices – a group pose of LJs Gloster, King, Hallett, Black and Sharp by artist Isabella Watling.

It’s a flawless group. The judges hold the viewer’s gaze, the vague brushwork of clothing folds, red tablecloth and the panelled backdrop focusing attention on the naturally lit benevolent authority of the judges’ faces, the rendition of which is flattering while remaining credible. The props are the important papers that support their work. 

In fact it’s all a bit… Rembrandt? Obiter is thinking in particular of ‘Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild’ – a naturally lit group portrait in a panelled room with a red tablecloth, some papers, and subjects (some seated, some standing) looking straight out from the painting at the viewer.

Still, as they said in 17th-century Amsterdam, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

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