TAKE ONE OF EACH OF THE HANDOUTS AT THE
FRONT (UNLESS YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM!)
WHAT WE WILL BE DOING TODAY:
Introduction to self-portraiture
 Why study it?
 Who has done it?
Upcoming project
How to draw a face
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SELF-PORTRAITURE
• Since the invention of
the mirror in the 15th
century, artists have
endeavored to recreate
their own image
• Reasons?
• an in-depth exploration
of the artist’s own
psyche or simply
because as a model (
the artist is clearly the
cheapest and most
available!)
• Nearly every artist, in
every medium have
attempted this
exploration of self.
PURPOSE OF SELF-PORTRAITURE: PHYSICAL
APPEARANCE
Artists such as Albrecht Durer created selfportraits to reflect their physical appearance,
and to show their great artistic skill
PURPOSE OF SELF-PORTRAITURE: PSYCHE
Artists such as Rembrandt and Frida Kahlo used selfportraiture as a form of intense self-study
 “they show a complex
personality, strong
emotions, and a chronicle
of circumstances through
life” (UMBC)
PURPOSE OF SELF-PORTRAITURE: SIGNATURE
Some artists like Jan Van Eyck
incorporated their own images
into their drawings and
paintings as a ‘signature’
showing that it was (s)he who
created it
PURPOSE OF SELF-PORTRAITURE: NARRATIVE
Some artists, such as Pablo
Picasso, created their selfportraits in a way that intended
to show an emotional
interpretation of themselves in
order to tell their own story.
THE METAPHORICAL SELF-PORTRAIT
Where artists such as Rembrandt
and Durer have relied on the
realistic self image to portray
themselves, artists such as Jackson
Pollack have relied on abstract
images to convey something deeply
personal about themselves
(communicating impulsivity and
spontaneity)
UPCOMING PROJECT(S)
This project is 2 fold!
You will create your own self-portrait after
practicing and studying the elements of selfportraiture
You will write a research essay on a famous
artist discussing his/her use of self-portraiture
Due in (about) 3 weeks
THE RESEARCH ESSAY
You will write a 2 page research essay on a
famous artist who used self-portraiture in their
art
You will research:
Thesis: How did this artist use self-portraiture
(type) and what did the artist hope to
communicate through self-portraiture
Who was this artist?
Describe their art/medium
Describe the artist’s contribution to the field of
self-portraiture
ARTISTS TO CHOOSE FROM:
Rembrandt
Van Gogh
Albrecht Durer
Frida Kahlo
Jan Van Eyck
Pablo Picasso
Jackson Pollack
THE PRACTICAL: YOUR SELF-PORTRAIT
You will create your own self-portrait
You will draw yourself in a particular context
You will choose one of the purposes we have
discussed and will draw yourself in that way (in
proportion!.... No cubism, only realism for this
project)
See project criteria for further expectations.