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Portraiture: Paintings to Photographs
August 01, 2022
Images (left to right): Portraits of American Poets: Jim Harrison (detail), Jack Smith, paint on copper. 2011.79.7, Portrait of Tineke (detail), Cyril Lixenberg, oil on canvas, circa 1958-1959. 2013.15.19, Not Going Without a Fight (detail), Batoul Ballout, oil on canvas. 2018.79.2, Camelia of the Delphiniums (detail), Mathias J. Alten, oil on canvas, 1919. 2021.86.10, Chief Holy Eagle (detail), Paul Collins, graphite on illustration board, circa 1973. 2003.415.1, Untitled (Portrait of a man) (detail), Artist Unknown, oil on board. 2021.33.1854.
Portraiture, the human desire to capture our own likeness, is one of the oldest art forms. Dating back to ancient Egypt, a painted, sculpted or drawn portrait was the only way to record how someone looked before the invention of photography. Portraits are more than just a record of the likeness of an individual. They have been used to show power, importance, virtue, beauty, wealth, and other attributes of the sitter. Portraits not only tell the viewer how that subject wanted to be depicted, but they can also reveal how an artist interprets their subjects.
An artist ability to create work freely based on their interests and inspirations, is a relatively new concept. For much of history, art was created on commission—or at the bidding of wealthy patrons. Before the 18th century, most portraits were considered public art, images of royal, wealthy or holy individuals were displayed in and often paid for by the church. Later in the 18th century, oil paint and canvas became less expensive and more available, at the same time the middle class was becoming wealthier and more able to purchase paintings of themselves and their family members. Similar to family photos we display in our homes today, portraits were a way to immortalize yourself and your family. This rise in painted portraiture was slightly stifled by the increased use of the camera in the 20th century.
20th century artists expanded the style and subject matter of the portrait genre. Instead of primarily taking portrait commissions, artists took control of their creative practice and looked for people to paint based on their interests and peculiarities. The genre of portraiture expanded to include other mediums and styles. From Cubism to Pop-Art, portraits remain a popular genre throughout time.
Check out these portraits from the GVSU Art Collection...
Qing Dynasty Official , Artist Unknown, paint on silk. 1999.974.1
Chief Holy Eagle , Paul Collins, graphite on illustration board, circa 1973. 2003.415.1
Mrs. Benjamin Hopkins , Attributed to Ammi Philips, oil on canvas, circa 1850. 2001.131.1
Portraits of American Poets: Jim Harrison , Jack Smith, paint on copper. 2011.79.7
Dream Hunter , Mike McDonnell, watercolor, circa 1978. 2013.2.10
Portrait of Tineke , Cyril Lixenberg, oil on canvas, circa 1958-1959. 2013.15.19
Untitled (Portrait of a man) , Artist Unknown, oil on board. 2021.33.1854
Camelia of the Delphiniums , Mathias J. Alten, oil on canvas, 1919. 2021.86.10
Not Going Without a Fight , Batoul Ballout, oil on canvas. 2018.79.2