"Few persons who have ever sat for a portrait can have felt anything but inferior while the process is going on"

In this quote, author Anthony Powell assesses the experience of sitting for a portrait. He recommends that most people who have gone through this procedure have likely felt a sense of inability while it is happening. This might be due to the vulnerability of being the topic of someone's art, or the pressure to present oneself in a particular way. The act of being observed and recorded on canvas or movie can be frightening and can make one feel uneasy. Powell's words highlight the complex feelings that can emerge throughout the development of a picture, and the power dynamics at play between the artist and topic.