Today the tradition of portraiture continues and is made somewhat easier by the use of photography, as well as the usual availability of the sitter. Some artists, like Phil Richards, who painted former Ontario premier Bob Rae in 1998, also made numerous detailed sketches in preparation for the portrait. However, while the likeness is excellent, Richards' desire to go beyond mere representation is evident in many of the work's details. For example, the view from the Premier's office window is not the real view at all, but combines the skyline of Toronto behind University College, a reference to the sitter's university days.