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 projectHow to draw a face

SELF-PO

RTRAITU

RE

M O N D A Y OC T O B E R 7

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 self-portraits to reflect their physical appearance, and to show their great artistic skill

PURPOSE OF SELF-PORTRAITURE: PSYCHEArtists such as Rembrandt and Frida

Kahlo used self-portraiture 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 self-portraits 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 self-portraiture

You will write a research essay on a famous artist discussing his/her use of self-portraiture

Due in (about) 3 weeks

THE RESEARCH ESSAYYou 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/mediumDescribe the artist’s contribution to the field of self-portraiture

ARTISTS TO CHOOSE FROM:RembrandtVan GoghAlbrecht DurerFrida KahloJan Van EyckPablo PicassoJackson Pollack

THE PRACTICAL: YOUR SELF-PORTRAITYou will create your own self-portrait You will draw yourself in a particular

contextYou 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.