Southampton - In her distinctive style, portrait artist Zita Davisson has captured on canvas more royalty, society people, stars and politicians than most painters meet in a lifetime. In a retrospective exhibit at Southampton Historical Museum, Davisson will unveil her latest creation: a portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Sought by internatiional celebrities and royalty for portraits that define them, Davisson was first commissioned to paint HRH Princess Diana in the 1980s, then returned to London to paint The Royal Highnesses Prince William and Prince Henry as children. Her most recent portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton will be unveiled at her solo show "Famous Faces" before being presented as a gift to the royal newlyweds.

For many years Davisson has been a popular member of both the art world and society circles. Her gallery of notables includes Princess Grace of Monaco, Liza Minnelli, Lady Gaga, Jeremy Irons, Mohammad Ali, Christopher Reeve, Vanessa Redgrave, and Gloria Vanderbilt - just to name a few - many of which will be included in "Famous Faces," a retrospective exhibition opening to a private cocktail reception on the evening of June 25 at the Southampton Historical Museum in the village of Southampton. The portrait of "Prince William and Kate" will be open to the public from June 28 through September 3, 2011.

Many of Davisson's portrait commissions are hung in venerable halls, such as her portrait of Nancy Reagan which hangs in the NYC Republican Club - or private homes, such as the family portraits of William Randolph Hearst, Jr. and his children or the Winthrop Rockefeller, Jr. family.

Art Critic John Greun wrote that her work conveys "…an uncanny sense of a living, breathing individual." As a portrait artist as well as a member of the beau monde herself, Davisson has probably painted more famous people than any living portrait artist, as well as painted many distinguished individuals who prefer to live far from the limelight."

"Famous Faces," a retrospective of portraits by Zita Davisson will be on display at the Southampton Historical Museum through September 3, 2011. Museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. 4 p.m.

For more information on Southampton Historical Museum go to www.southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org.

About Zita Davisson
Davisson has made a career of capturing famous faces on canvas. Her paintings have been exhibited in museums nationally and internationally, a rare honor for a living portrait artist. She has received numerous awards and certifications of merit. The artist has presented a succession of 47 solo shows in such significant places as The Guggenheim Gallery (London), Grand Central Galleries (New York), The Palm Beach Gallery, Galerie Michel-Ange (under the royal patronage of S.A.S. Princess Grace) in Monte-Carlo and Alisan Fine Arts Ltd. (Hong Kong) to name but a few.

In addition to her gallery of famous faces, she has painted a variety of people from every walk of life, often commissioned to paint entire families.

"I love to paint, from the inside out," said the artist. "My aim is to reveal the spirit and beauty of each individual. I want every brush stroke to enhance the unique quality of whom I am painting. It is never purely conscious but my art surrenders to the inner personality of my sitter and the painting," explains the artist.

She has a home in Southampton and is an active member of many philanthropic organizations. Davisson is available for portrait commissions. Sittings may be arranged at the painter's studio in New York City or the Hamptons. For portrait commissions, kindly contact the artist at 212-223-4949 or e-mail zitaart@aol.com or fax 212-223-0380.