Full Body Self Portrait

Self Portrait Reference Photo:

Some Other Reference Photos:

Artists' Self Portrait Assignment

Assignment: make a blog art gallery of 3 artists' self portraits (as many as possible) and have each one answer the following questions:

1. Nationality
2. When was portrait made
3. What kind of art 
4. What medium
5. Where it is now located
6. Short description

Artist 1: Leonardo da Vinci
Biography: Leoardo da Vinci was born in Florence, Italy on April 15, 1452. He is know as the archetype of the Renaissance man. He is most widely known as an artist (thought he was many other things). At age 14 he was an apprentice to Andrea di Cione, who was known as Verocchio. At age of 26, he went off on his own to pursue his own work until his death on May 2, 1519.

Self portrait 1:

1. Italian
2. c. 1510
3. Self portrait
4. Red chalk on paper
5. Torino, Italy
6. It is a self portrait of Leonardo da Vinci at the age of 58. In the drawing, he looks much older than he actually is. He looks contently and wisely off to the side, there is no background or setting. The portrait is 13 1/2 X 8 3/8 in.

Self portrait 2: 

1. Italian
2. unknown
3. Self portrait
4. Tempera grassa on wooden panel
5. Museo Antiche Delle Genti di Lucania, Vagilo Basilicata, Italy
6. It is a self portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. It is unknown how old he is in this painting. It was discovered in 2008 by Nicola Barbatelli, Director of Museo Antiche delle Genti di Lucania (Museum of the Ancient People of Lucania) of Vaglio Basilicata, a hill town in Basilicata in Southern Italy, where it is currently exhibited. the portrait is 24 X 17 in.

Artist 2: Frida Kahlo
Biography: Frida Kahlo was born outside Mexico City on July 6, 1907. Kahlo was a Mexican painter, best known for her self-portraits. Kahlo's work is remembered for its "pain and passion," and its "intense, vibrant colors." Kahlo contracted polio at age six, which left her right leg thinner than the left, which she disguised by wearing long, colorful skirts. At the age of 15, Kahlo was enrolled in the Preparatoria, one of Mexico's premier schools. On September 17, 1925, Kahlo was in a bus accident, she suffered serious injuries that left her temporary immobile. She painted to occupy her time during her temporary state of immobilization. She continued to paint even after she fully recovered. She continued her career as a painter until her death on July 13, 1954.

Self portrait 1: "Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress"

1. Mexican
2. 1926
3. Self portrait
4. Oil on canvas
5. Mexico City, Mexico
6.  The painting is Frida's first self-portrait. It was painted as a gift for her boyfriend, Alejandro Gomez Arias (later on her husband), who had left her. It was given as a token of love by which she hoped to restore his affection and keep her in his thoughts.  Not long after Alejandro received the portrait, they were rejoined. The portrait reflects Frida's interest in the Italian Renaissance period. This self-portrait is Frida's interpretation of Botticelli's "Venus" which Alejandro admired. The painting is  31 X 23 1/2 in. (http://www.fridakahlofans.com/c0020.html) 

 Self portrait 2: "Self-Portrait Along the Boarder Line Between Mexico and the United States"

1.  Mexican
2. 1932
3. Self Portrait
4. Oil on Metal
5. New York City, New York
6. Kahlo had lived in the United states for 3 years. She was growing homesick, this self portrait illustrates her attitude toward the US and Mexico as she stands in a feminine dress between two very different worlds. In her hand she holds a Mexican flag which indicates where her loyalties lie. On one side, the ancient Mexican landscape, with its rich warm natural earthy colors, exotic plants and pieces of Aztec sculpture. On the other side, the dead, technology-dominated landscape of the United State is portrayed in dull greys and blues. There is just one link between the two worlds: an electricity generator standing on the U.S. soil draws its power from the roots of a plant on the Mexican side. The portrait is 12 1/2 X 13 3/4 in. (http://www.fridakahlofans.com/c0110.html)

Self portrait 3: "Self Portrait with a Monkey"

1. Mexican
2. 1938
3. Self Portrait
4. Oil on Masonite
5. Buffalo, New York
6. Usually in Mexican mythology, the monkey is the patron of dance and a symbol of lust. However, Kahlo portrays the monkey as a "living, tender and soulful being with its arm placed protectively around her neck." Kahlo uses a claustrophobic background of a tight curtain of leaves which pushes the image out towards the viewer. This was a style that she borrowed from another artist, Alfredo Ramos Martinez. Kahlo continues to use this style in her other self portraits. The portrait is 16 X 12 in. (http://www.fridakahlofans.com/c0250.html)

Artist 3: Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
Biography: Rembrandt was born in modern day Leiden, Netherlands (back then the Dutch Republic) on July 15, 1606. Rembrandt was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history. His contributions to art came in a period that historians call the Dutch Golden Age.  Rembrandt studied at the University of Leiden, and was an apprentice to Leiden history painter, Jacob van Swanenburgh, for three years. Afterwards he had a breif yet important apprenticeship with the famous painter Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam for six months. Around c. 1624-1625, Rembrandt opened a studio in Leiden, which he shared with his friend Jan Lievens. In 1627, Rembrandt began to accept students and teach. He was hired to create many works of art throughout his life, he continued painting until his death on October 4, 1669.

Self portrait 1: "Small Self Portrait"

1. Dutch
2. c.1627-1628
3. Self Portrait
4. Etching
5. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
6. The picture is believed to be the first self portrait Rembrandt made. He would've been around 21 or 22 at the time. This is also one of Rembrandt's first etchings. There is no background, only himself as the subject. The etching is 28 X 23 in.

Self Portrait 2:

1. Dutch
2. c. 1641
3. Self Portrait
4. Oil on Canvas
5. Norton Simon Art Foundation, Pasadena
6. This is a self portrait of Rembrandt from c. 1641. He would've been around 35 at the time, however, he looks much older. The background is simply a brownish green, about the same color as his attire. 

Self Portrait 3:

1. Dutch
2. 1669
3. Self Portrait
4. Oil on Canvas
5. Mauritshuis, The Hague
6. This is one of the last self portraits and artworks Rembrandt made. In this self portrait, he is 63 years old, there is very little background and the background and his clothing mix. the painting is 25 x 22.7 in.