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What is a portrait? By definition,
it is a painting, photograph, or other likeness
of a person, especially one showing the face.
The artist, by means of capturing the image
of a person on canvas or in a photograph,
provides that sitter with a measure of immortality.
In the middle of the twentieth century, artists
moved away from the notion that the careful
rendering of facial features was the most
desirable aspect of a portrait, or that it
described the subject most accurately. The
artist arrived at an image most suitable to
the individual by taking into consideration
the mood, attitude and body language over
a period of time and during differing circumstances.
For as long as artists have been painting
portraits of people, they have been using
self-portraits as vehicles for psychological
examination. Artists have been painting themselves
as readily available expressive models when
no others existed or could be afforded. The
unique way these artists saw themselves and
the many stylistic approaches they chose to
interpret their individual personalities are
what give the portrait its vitality. Whether
the portraits included are full length, three-quarter
length or head and shoulders, it is the face
that draws our attention. This is unsurprising.
After all, it is the face that defines us.
It is the face that makes each person appear
unique and separate and special.
Portraiture, then, is more than the recording
of appearance. It is always more than simply
an image, more than merely oil on canvas or
charcoal on paper. Somehow it does more than
just show the subject. Part of the experience
of looking at a portrait is a sense of recognition,
identification with the subject or a confirmation
of our own feelings. The viewer can establish
a relationship or rapport with the subject
that is based—above all else—on
a response to the face itself. For a portrait
to succeed it needs to be more than a likeness.
In some works an intimate relationship and
tender emotion is exposed between sitter and
artist. This relationship guides every mark
of the brush, pencil or etching needle. |