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1. Collect SELF-PORTRAITS by the following artists:
Albrecht Durer
Rembrandt
van Rijn
Parmigianino (Francesco Mazzola)
Vincent Van Gogh
Paul Gauguin
Kathe Kollwitz
Frida Kahlo
Chuck
Close
Cindy Sherman
Yasumasa Morimura (from Osaka)
Mariko Mori
Note: There are a few links in the
purple section on the right, that may help you get started on your search.
Recording Information about Artworks
2. Carefully select two (2) of the self-portraits found in #1 for further analysis.
Try to select
work that represent different approaches (e.g. different styles or techniques) and that come from different times.
3. For each of the self-portraits selected in #2 provide an analysis of its expressive qualities. Use the following
questions as a guide:
a. Describe what you see/ what you know...
What are the most important Elements and Principles?
e.g. Is the colour natural or arbitrary? Are the colours mostly warm or cool? Is the picture symmetrical or assymetrical?
What is the focal point (area that is emphasized)?
What is the setting? Where is s/he? e.g. Inside? Outside? If inside,
describe the interior. If outside, what type of place is it?
What is s/he doing? Is s/he active or passive? What kind
of activities is s/he involved in?
What is s/he wearing?
What type of furniture, objects, etc. are included
in the portrait?
What is his/her pose or gesture? Is s/he looking directly at us? Are they turned away? Is s/he smiling
or serious?
Where is s/he placed in the picture? Does s/he dominant the picture? Is s/he placed in the foreground/
background? Is s/he in the center or placed off to one side?
What is our viewpoint? Are we looking straight at him/
her? Or are we looking from above or below?
Has s/he used any interesting devices such as distortion or reflections?
Do you have any other observations?
NOTE: Be as specific as possible as you answer these questions.
'She
is wearing a formal blue dress with a tight fitting waist and low neckline. It looks like it is made of a rich, shiny material
such as satin...' is much better than 'She is wearing a dress'.
b. Based on your observations above, what
can you learn about the artist from their self-portrait?
How old does s/he appear to be in the portrait?
Is the artist male or female?
What is his/her social status?
What other interests might s/he have?
When/ where
did s/he live? Where is s/he from?
What kind of feeling or mood has s/he conveyed? What might it reveal about his/ her
personality or character?
NOTE: For these answers please explain 'how you know'.
'He looks like he is poor or
struggling because he is wearing casual and dirty clothes with holes and patches and is sitting in a very simple room...'
is much better than 'He looks like he is poor'.
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