Assignment Four- Research Point

RESEARCH POINT- Investigate some artists self-portraits.  Look at both well-known and lesser known artists.

I started off by looking at one of the self-portraits of Vincent van Gogh.

This was an oil painting entitled ‘Self-portrait with a felt hat’. Painted in 1888, in the impressionistic style, this portrait may have been painted for many reasons: To mark a moment in time, to try out various painting techniques and to improve his skills as an artist. Also it might have been easier to paint oneself rather than to pay a model for their time, if funds were short.  The pose is one of thoughtfulness and concentration with his gaze slightly over to one side, and muted colours are used throughout.

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The next artist I chose to look at is; Lucian Freud (1922 – 2011).  He was one of the most important and influential artists of his generation, and the paintings he made of people were central to his work.   He was quoted to have said, 'I've always wanted to create drama in my pictures, which is why I paint people. It's people who have brought drama to pictures from the beginning. The simplest human gestures tell stories.'

You can clearly see the drama in every brushstroke of his self-portrait.  Every plane of his face is filled with expressive colours and contours, bringing the portrait to life.  He is thought to have worked for many hours on each painting, building up thick layers of paint to create a three dimensional effect to his work.

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This next drawing is a self-portrait drawn by artist Paul Rodecker. It was posted on his drawing blog in 2009.  He used a number of thin black sharpies and the effect is seriously intense, with the gaze almost daring you to blink. 

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This next painting was entitled ‘Self-portrait with easel’ by Gustave Caillebotte (August 19, 1848-February 21, 1894). He was a French painter and a member of the group of artists known as Impressionists.  What is interesting about his self-portrait is the way the artist is obviously looking in a mirror to paint the picture.  Apparently he was not left handed, yet in the painting he is clearly seen holding the brush in his left hand.

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The last artist I will look at is Norman Rockwell.   He was born in 1894 and produced over 4,000 original works in his lifetime.  Alongside his paintings he was also an illustrator, and was commissioned to illustrate over 40 books. 

The painting entitled ‘Triple self-portrait’ was a chance for Rockwell to reveal something of his character and profession.  This he does by the pose of viewing himself in a mirror, surrounded by items of his trade; easel, pallet, canvas, brushes and a full waste bin.  The image on the canvas is incomplete, in black and white, and clearly not giving too much clarity to the artists’ image of himself.  The image in the mirror is even more intriguing. This time in full colour surrounded by a flashy gilt frame complete with American eagle. But, the eyes of the artist are hidden. Suggesting the artist is seeing a distorted image of himself, or hiding his inner soul from the viewer. The artist’s has signed the corner of the incomplete portrait rather that at the lower corner of the main painting.