self-protraits

[self-protraits]

Pieter Gerritsz “A Vanitas Still Life”

Seen in this painting a arrangement of different items which includes a book, skull, jar, ropes, a pocket watch, a glass sphere, a laughing Democritus inscribed in a book on the right side, ribbons and coins on a table. The skull, ribbons, coins and pocket watch may reflect and symbolize the “transience of earthly pleasure” while, the open book with the laughing Democritus is reflection of “Everyone is sick from birth/ vanity is ruining the world”.

At first glance it maybe just a normal image of a painting representing a series of life subjects to the viewer and non meaningful messages, at closer inspection to the centre of the image focusing on the sphere there is an intriguing reflection which is reflecting the artist himself in his studio possibly creating this painting. In the reflection of the glass sphere it is show a silhouette of a individual sitting directly in front of the table facing directly towards it the sphere or the table.

Pieter Gerritsz painting is very intriguing for the viewer as it represents more than just an imagery of items arranged and set on a table though the items do give a representation and each of the items are different and have different meaning behind them, the painting is also a self portrait which includes the artist himself giving effective artwork

[self-protraits]

Diego Velazquez “Las Meninas”

In this painting created by Diego Velazquez created for the King of Spain Philip lV the viewer is shown a picture of  princess Infranta Margarita Teressa, accompanied by her maiden, and close relatives at first glance it is unseen but with further inspection it is revealed that the painting shows the King, his wife and the painter.

The King and Queen are seen in the back shadowy mirror up against the wall with the painter on the left side, which is believed that he maybe the one painting this image within the painting or painting a different piece.

The reason why Diego Velazquez may have made a self portrait cased into the painting is to give a illusion or show his importants to the royal family and the royal court. Giving this illusion within the image is giving a very effective and engaging style to viewers which bring up a lots of discussions to why he may have created himself to the painting and the meaning of why the King and Queen are in the mirror. Many of speculated that the image we are viewing is through the glance of King Philip lV. Another feel is that this is being mirrored and Diego Velazquez is painting this from a mirror in front of him and adding in the reflection.

[self-protraits]

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a self portrait artist who began two paint himself as years progress, his portraits depicted himself from an early childhood from age 15 to 90, as he grew up and created more showing what he pictured himself as. he was well known for his art and well painting till His self portraits started to shift between style and turned into dull and faint colors as the years progressed. He began to use geometric shapes and forms of thick dark black lines for his portraits which gave an uneasy feeling.

Many of Pablo Picasso self portrait and the change from warm bright colors to dark and somber colors may have been through his emotions through his entire life. He made artwork which also expressed the Spanish civil war which may have impacted him to create more meaning full and representing them in his work.

[self-protraits]

Yasutomo Oka

Yasutomo Oka creates self portraits of females through oil paintings, these paintings depict cultural and attractive portraits that the artist has created. These portraits captivate the viewers attention believe it to be a clearly and well produced photo but as a twist not knowing it to be oil painted.

Yasutomo Oka’s self portraits are captivating for the eye because of the well detailing in the clothing, background, facial features and skin tones giving the image a fascinating hyper realistic images of both the female in the image and forest background.

Yasutomo Oka’s self portraits give the viewer and audience a more realistic feeling when viewed. 

[self-protraits]

Artemisia Gentileschi

Between the year of 1610 to her death in 1653 Artemisia Gentileschi was a famous past artist well known for her self portraits which she created during her stages of her life time. Unlike other female artists in that time, she was known for having her self portraits based off of history in time besides a portraiture and the consistence of life, this gave her a lot of popularity among-st society and other fellow female artists.

Artemisia Gentileschi, work made a big influence in art as she connected history to her pieces which made a difference in other portraits, i believe that is what makes her artwork more appealing and interesting knowing that a part of history was influenced to create an attractive and detailing piece such as this one.

[self-protraits]

Ed Fairburn

Starting with mail art during his early age Ed Fairburn evolved his art with creating self portraits onto a canvas of a map. Many of his artworks were cast onto a geographic map. Ed Fairburn used portraits and geographic maps to share a connection between self and nature, this creates a feel between “humanity and topography”.

Ed Fairburn’s artworks are very unique and captivating image for the audience because of the topographic backgrounds and the fitting of the self portraits which fit into the piece giving a representation and meaning behind his work which gets the audience to think.

[self-protraits]

Barkley L. Hendricks

Barkley L. Hendricks artworks were followed as a representation of diversity of cultures and the following of the civil rights movement which sparked a lot of cultural and diverse meanings to many people that were impacted by his work. Many of his pieces includes racial identity, Ethnic, city scenes and culture.

Barkley L. Hendricks artworks are very engaging for the viewer because it gives the diversity and cultural feeling to the viewer and reflects difference in race that we inherent towards one another. This made a huge difference in the way we see one another as it was created during the civil rights movement which impacted society.

[self-protraits]

Paul Cezanne

in 1862 Paul Cezanne artwork showcased himself as a constricted as most of his artworks expressed characteristics of  a rather feeble this is shown by the portraits body language.

When the audience views this artwork they are met with a very serious feel because of the straight and strict look on Paul’s face

[self-protraits]

Hung Liu

In Hung Liu self portrait she symbolizes two terms her identity and communism. In her portrait she expresses her cultural background by her clothing and a marked leaf on her forehead. Her clothing is also a representation of China a communist country. These are which reflect her identity to the viewers.

This piece invites the viewer to learn more about the identity of the artist as there eye is focused on the leaf which is mounted on her forehead, this gives a reflection on her culture and background to the audience.

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Paul Gauguin painted many self portrait in which exhibited emotions that he has experience throughout his life, he created these emotion using color in many of his self portraits.

Self Portraits

[self-protraits]

Paul Gauguin

This is a self portrait done by french artist Paul Gauguin in 1889. In this image the viewer is engaged to the background which shows a yellow version of Christ on the left side of the painting and a tobacco jar on the left side representing possibly the good and bad. The color contrast this from light coloration of Christ to dark coloration.

Paul Gauguin expressed that in his life there were two strengths which he obtain were divinity and savagery.

This piece is very intriguing because it reflects on life and the good and bad between people amours the different colors from light colors of Christ to dark shades of a tobacco jar or hell.

[self-protraits]

Francesca Woodman

Francesca Woodman was known for her photography self portraits of her masking herself in them. She often created photographs displayed herself and her body. In her artwork she explored issues of gender and herself, where in each photograph would be a explanation of her body reflecting on life and surroundings.

This photo is very engaging because she shows and reflects many gender type and body issues as in this picture is seems disgusted in her appearance and self