Oxford Starts Replacing Portraits of Dead White Men with Women, Black and Gay People

Bible translator William Tyndale. ILLUSTRATION: William Tyndale (Getty Images)
  • Artists will paint dozens of new portraits to hang in its ancient buildings 
  • Stickers with the words ‘next in frame’ have been put up around Oxford 
  • University is asking students and staff to nominate suitable subjects
  • Pictures of Jonathan Swift, John Donne and William Tyndale were all removed and portraits of Natasha Kaplinsky and Naomi Wolf were put up

By Sarah Harris |3 July 2016

THE DAILY MAIL — Oxford University is replacing some portraits of famous men with female, black and gay leaders to counter its ‘male, pale and stale’ image.

It is commissioning artists to paint dozens of new portraits to hang in its ancient buildings at a cost of £900 each.
Stickers with the words ‘next in frame’ have been put up around Oxford, asking students and staff to nominate suitable subjects by the end of this week.

In addition, colleges are already redecorating dining and lecture halls with new pictures and photographs to reflect the diversity of their alumni.

Pictures of author Jonathan Swift, 16th century poet John Donne and bible translator William Tyndale were all removed. And portraits of TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky, author Hari Kunzru and journalist Naomi Wolf have been put up.

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