The Use of Self- Portraiture

Self-portraiture allows for artists to make themselves into what they have always wanted to be. Through the use of self-portraiture, the artist is allowed to tell and show the viewer what they are supposed to think about the artist. Many artists used self-portraiture as a way to assert themselves as desirable people and artists. This exhibit takes a look at how Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait with a Straw Hat (obverse: The Potato Peeler)along with other self portraits are impacted by their own desire to assert themselves are important and desirable artists. Vincent van Gogh is the center of the collection because being seen as a desirable artist was something that he struggled with his entire career as a painter. The purpose for portraiture changes when you look at other artists work through the lens of Vincent van Gogh’s purpose for painting. His longing for attention is documented more than other artists through his letters to his brother. He writes about his disappointment when he fails to sell paintings, and how he longs to be known. He uses his paintings to make himself known to the world. Vincent van Gogh is a good centerpiece for this exhibit because of his honesty and openness with his desires.

Vincent Van Gogh

Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat (obverse: The Potato Peeler) 

1887

Oil on canvas

67.187.70a 

The vibrant portrait uses bright yellows and oranges in the main color theme. The use of color in the painting draws your eyes to the middle where the light seems to hit and where Vincent van Gogh’s face is. Through the use of strokes, the viewer is able to imagine the painting being created. In the summer of 1887 Vincent van Gogh wrote many letters to his brother, around the time this painting was made, in the letters he talked about how he wanted to be perceived as desirable. Unlike some of his other work, his face appears sturdy and trustworthy, this is depicted through the hard lines. 

Self Portrait, Study of a Hand and a pillow

1493

Pen and brown ink

1975.1.862

Albrecht Durer uses dramatic scale and sharp pencil line to depict his self-portrait.  Durer draws his hand to be the same size as his head. By drawing the portrait to this scale, he is portraying the idea that artist are thinkers this is why his hand is so close to his face. Durer uses self-portraiture in this portrait, along with others, to depict himself as a thoughtful and insightful artist. He uses symbolism, like the size of his hand, to show how he should be taken as seriously as philosophers. 

Pablo Ruiz y Picasso

Self- Portrait with Palette 

1906

Oil on canvas

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Pablo Picasso uses self-portraiture to present himself as a powerful and fruitful artist. The viewer’s attention is meant to be drawn to his right arm that is clenched and buff. He looks young and strong. He veers away from his normal technique of cubism. Instead he presents himself in a more naturalistic form, even with the exaggerated facial features. He presents himself as muscular and powerful. Much like Albrecht Durer’s self-portrait he is presenting himself in a way that is different than the popular view of artists.

Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)

Self Portrait

1660

Oil on canvas

14.40.618 

Much like Vincent van Gogh’s work, this portrait allows you to observe the strokes and allows the viewer to imagine the actual act of painting. Through this technique, Rembrandt uses darker colors and shading to show how he has aged. But instead of depicting himself as a frail old man, he still appears strong through his posture and the details on his face. His eyes appear to be wrinkled and deep set, he exerts wisdom in his gaze as he stares directly at the viewer.

Jan van Eyck

The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait

1434

Oil on oak

The National Gallery (NG 186)

This painting uses intense detail and imagery as the viewer is engaging in the family portrait. Here Jan van Eyck is able to place himself in the mirror in the foreground as a reflection in the mirror. By doing this he shows the viewers his technical skill, and shows that even though the portrait is not directly of him, he is still able to insert himself into the portrait and holds value through that. Much like popular self- portraiture, he uses the context of the commissioners to show that he is someone important and desirable. 

Self Portrait as a Painter

Vincent van Gogh

1888

Oil on canvas

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam 

Unlike the self-portrait before this one he uses combinations of colors to get a darker and deeper stare. Van Gogh is no longer looking at the viewers but instead at his own work with an incredibly sober glare in his eyes. He paints himself as a painter to establish his career, and to leave no doubt to the viewer about what he does. He is asserting himself as someone who should be taken seriously, a desire that many artists hold. As he paints himself as the main character in this image, he is reflecting the desires that artists had as they painted themselves into their own allegories of a painting. Through painting themselves into the conversation, they got to put themselves at the same level of value as the deeper moral value that allegories were used for.