Regarded as one of the world's great pianists, Brendel was born in northern Moravia in what is now the Czech Republic, and has lived in London since 1971. Brendel studied briefly at the Graz Conservatory but is largely self-taught. The first artist to record Beethoven complete works for solo piano, his repertoire includes Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and Liszt. He retired from performing in 2008.From the beginning of the commissioning consultation process it was clear that Alfred Brendel was not going to be satisfied with a conventional portrait and indeed he was reticent about sitting at all. However, he was taken with the raw strength and authenticity of Bevan's vision. Although many of Bevan's paintings are based on direct observation, both of himself, his family and friends, this is the first time that the artist has ventured into the realm of the portrait commission.