Portrait Image of a person especially the face

Portrait – Image of a person, especially the face and upper body. Self-portrait – Picture of the artist by the artist. Contour lines – A line that defines the edges and surface ridges of an object

When artists make self-portraits, they may be asking themselves a very basic but difficult question: Who am I?

Why do artists create self-portraits?

1. They get a model who is always available and works for free. 2. Self-portraits are a good way for artists to practice representing different expressions and moods. 3. Self-portraits advertise an artist's skill. A potential customer can compare the image in the self-portrait to the actual person and decide on the spot to hire the artist—or not! 4. Self-portraits live on. They preserve memories and let the artist leave his or her image behind—a way of fulfilling the human quest for immortality.

Artists have been making selfportraits for hundreds of years. Some artists have made hundreds of self-portraits over the course of their lifetime.

Albrecht Durer 1493

Albrecht Durer at 28

Many of Rembrandt’s selfportraits have survived. He had a large collection of exotic clothes and hats that he dressed up in before painting himself.

Rembrandt 1634

Rembrandt 1640

Rembrandt 1658

Rembrandt 1661

Vincent van Gogh 1889

Vincent van Gogh Self-portrait With Bandaged Ear

Frida Kahlo 1926

Frida Kahlo Self-portrait as a Tejuana/ Diego on My Mind

Frida Kahlo Self-portrait With Monkey

Frida Kahlo The Two Fridas

MC Escher Hand Holding Sphere 1935

MC Escher Self-portrait 1922 Woodcut

Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall Self-portrait With Seven Fingers

Chuck Close Self-portrait 1967

Chuck Close

Chuck Close