A Closer Look
Natalia Vodianova reveals what makes the gaze of the artist so seductive
We started at 11AM, after having chatted over coffee for an hour beforehand. I ended up sitting for Francesco for five hours. I was meant to be going to a shoot, but I couldn't really say, "Oh, I need to be somwhere else." As he worked, I would ask him the occasional question, but other than that we were silent -- the only other sound was a CD mix of Cuban music that he played over and over again. When you're being painted, the sense of intimacy is so strong; it was the most intimate moment I've ever had with my work. As a model, you understand that the changing moment is vital, but this meant holding the moment for hours. It's like meditation; you forget about the rest of the world; you forget that you have a husband, children. I didn't see the portrait until he had finished. When I looked, I almost felt embarrassed; how should I react to this image of myself? He asked if I liked it, and I told him I loved it. He'd captured my idea of myself, of who I am. Francesco's portrait wasn't about what I have achieved in my life, or me as a mother or a wife. It's a celebration of me as a woman.