Darla Moore’s portrait to be unveiled in building that bears her name

The University of South Carolina’s top benefactor, businesswoman Darla Moore, is putting yet another stamp on the campus thanks to the work of a British artist.

London-based artist Ralph Heimans unveiled Moore’s portrait Friday in the Darla Moore School of Business.

The horizontal, 14-by-8-foot oil painting depicts her standing on the stairs in the courtyard gazing at the progress of the building while it was under construction.

The Sydney, Australia, born Heimans is best known for his official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. He is renowned for large-scale portraits that capture the essence of his subjects. Heimans has painted leaders in the fields of art, academia, law, business, politics and philanthropy.

“Darla’s expression is nuanced – she means business, but she is possessed of a great composure, inner strength, warmth and wit,” he said. “These were all attributes that I wanted to bring to the portrait. I hope it is a fitting tribute to the work of this remarkable woman.”

Moore is a 1975 USC graduate and its leading donor. She made two gifts to the business school – $25 million in 1998 and $45 million in 2004 – plus a $5 million gift in 2011 to establish the Ronald E. McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research. The center helps fuel South Carolina’s developing aerospace industry.

Moore is a former vice president of Rainwater Inc., a Fort Worth-based private investment company, and she is the first woman to be profiled on the cover of Fortune Magazine. She has also made the List of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business.

This story was originally published March 20, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Darla Moore’s portrait to be unveiled in building that bears her name."