Man in suit with a black bow tie, sitting on a chair with his hands clasped near his chest. Background blue/grey wall with a painting hanging on the left side.

Sir Julian Bullard, GCMG, Hon. LLD, MA (Oxon) (1928-2006) studied at Magdalen College, Oxford. A brilliant linguist, he joined the Foreign Office 1953, after war service in the army. His diplomatic postings included Vienna and Amman, before becoming British Ambassador in Bonn, Moscow and Dubai. He was Political Director at the Foreign Office during the Falklands War, and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Retiring from diplomatic service in 1988, Julian Bullard was active in the formation of the University’s Institute for European Law and the Institute for German Studies. He served as Pro-Chancellor 1989-94. The picture of skirmishing in the background refers to Sir Julian’s time in the diplomatic service.

Humphrey Ocean, born in Sussex, planned to have a musical career after leaving art college. His band, Kilburn and the Highroads, supported The Who on their 1973 Christmas tour, and he toured the USA as artist in residence for Paul McCartney’s band Wings. He won the 1982 Imperial Tobacco Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, and two years later had a solo exhibition there. Among the portraits by him in the National Portrait Gallery are those of the poet Philip Larkin, Sir Paul McCartney and philosopher Sir A J Ayer.

Notes:  There is a slight mark on the bottom of the frame.