Sotheby’s (London) have written that “Lincoln Townley’s figurative paintings are fictive portrayals drawn entirely from the artist’s imagination. The head and shoulders portraits depict be-suited businessmen sporting viscerally painted faces that loom out of abyssal backdrops and emerge directly into our own space. They are an evocative depiction of greed within the world’s financial institutions and the ‘money men’ behind them. Townley’s unwitting subjects are those who go out of their way to do the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling or unable to do.

Akin to Francis Bacon’s radical distortions of the human figure, Townley’s own figures make manifest the existential turmoil of our Twenty-First Century moment. Each Banker portrait represents the power, rapacity and influence of a financial institution - reflecting, in many cases, the unstoppable will of the individuals driving the unchecked growth.”

In recent years, Townley has gained significant recognition within the contemporary art world, establishing himself as one of the most exciting emerging talents. His work has garnered increasing attention for its emotional depth and bold visual style, blending elements of portraiture and abstraction to capture the psyche of his subjects. Over the last decade, Townley’s paintings have risen considerably in value, reflecting both his growing reputation and the demand for his work. His unique approach to portraiture, which captures the internal struggles and triumphs of his subjects, has resonated with collectors and art enthusiasts alike.