Artemisia Gentileschi, Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting, 1638–39
As one of the most significant categories of painting in Western art, portraiture offers a window into both individual identities and broader social and cultural values. Whether formalized depictions of elites or more personal, introspective works, portraits communicate salient qualities of a particular era, as well as human psychology and character. In a 4-part series, art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine looks closely at a variety of aspects of portraiture in historical contexts, providing a deeper understanding of the significance of this pictorial genre.
April 23 A Brief History of Portraiture: Antiquity to the Renaissance
The genre of portrait painting occupies a hallowed place in the Western tradition. Indeed, according to a story told by the Roman historian Pliny, the first painting in antiquity was a portrait—created for the sake of memory and as a reminder of absence. Georgievska-Shine traces a brief history of this genre, with a focus on its rebirth and flourishing in the Renaissance.
April 30 Portraits and Performances: Between the Public and the Private Realm
Every portrait is both intended to create an impression of truth and a carefully staged performance. How are these aspects of the “private” and “public” expressed within a single image? Examine the ways in which the emphasis on the individual self and group identity have evolved over time.
May 7 The Eternal Object of Desire: Female Muses From the Renaissance to the Present
Portraits of women comprise a category of their own. Though a majority were “official” in nature, many others carry very personal stories. The session provides a historical overview of the various perspectives of artists on their female muses and objects of desire.
May 14 The Artist as a Subject: From the Renaissance to the Present
One of the most popular sayings associated with the art of painting in the Renaissance is that “Every painter paints himself.” This statement gains a heightened importance when applied to the genre of self-portraiture. Georgievska-Shine explores the ways in which artists have fashioned themselves through their portraits across history.
General Information
