Heath Ledger, Last Image Before Death

Heath Ledger, Last Image Before Death – A Painting

The paint was barely dry on his portrait when actor Heath Ledger was pronounced dead.

Heath Ledger, Last Image Before Death - A Painting - PIC

Melbourne artist Vincent Fantauzzo had been putting the finishing touches on his painting of the star at his Docklands studio on Tuesday.

Fantauzzo painted Ledger with the intention of entering the portrait in the prestigious Archibald Prize later this year. But the newly finished work got an early showing yesterday, when, with the approval of the Ledger family, Fantauzzo released the image to the media.

Ledger sat for Fantauzzo on his last visit home to Perth in December. Fantauzzo said he felt privileged to have worked with Ledger.

“Heath was a very private person, which is one of the reasons I was so honoured that he allowed me to paint him,” Fantauzzo told reporters. He was so easy and professional to work with. He didn’t need any direction, (he was) absolutely focused. Once done, he was back to his usual charismatic self.”