Rob,
"I do not feel this with his entire work, but powerfully when the sitter is a sculptor or a painter or a thinker...those who still know the primeval feel of dirt on the hands. " P.A.S.
It is a narrow segment which I refer to...and very specifically where the intensity of their oeuvre is that which has transferred....ie: the Manzus, the Einsteins, ...Had he not earned the better part of his living by the formulaic I would like to think there would have been more...most of us know the bond to that which funds our coffers... but when he made that "touch" connection there is no escaping the power that emanated... I hadn't caught the reason those pulled me in until Mike's comment. I like that awareness now of what it was that drew me, and to which specifically...and yes I count the "fishermen's sweaters" as those that earned him his living as opposed to having power and understand your point very well...(I'll remain on the fence about the Churchill, the first... only because the anger of not being in charge at that moment is so visceral...)