Self Portrait Activity

Search the internet for self-portraits by the following artists: Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent Van Gogh, Susanna Coffey, Lucian Freud, Kathe Kollwitz, Paul Gauguin, Gregory Gillespie, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Brett Gamache (a friend of mine).Create a Word document.



1. For each artist, record the title, year of completion, and country of origin.
- Rembrandt van Rijn “Self Portrait” (1659), Netherlands
- Vincent Van Gogh “Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear” (1889), Netherlands/France
- Susanna Coffey “Self Portrait (Cassandra Will)” (2002), United States
- Lucian Freud “Reflection Self Portrait” (1985), Germany
- Kathe Kollwitz “Self Portrait” (1924), Germany
- Paul Gauguin “Self Portrait” (1889), France
- Gregory Gillespie “Myself Painting a Self Portrait” (1980-1981), United States
- Pablo Picasso “Self Portrait” (1907), Spain
- Paul Cezanne “Self Portrait” (1875), France
- Brett Gamache “Self Portrait with Red Shirt and Hat” (2003), United States

2. Identify three comparable (composition, color, mood, etc.) self-portraits from the list. Construct a paragraph which identifies the parallels between these 3 works.
- Three comparable self portraits are by Kathe Kollwitz, Lucian Freud, and Susanna Coffey. All three of these paintings share the same mood and the portrait's have similar features. Kollwitz, Freud, and Coffey each depict themselves with harsh lines and wrinkles over their faces. They arn't afraid to create themselves as old or what some people might consider ugly. Also, each portrait has a dark mood and sadness surrounding them. This is shown through the dark colors used in the compositions and the expression among each or their faces. Thus, Kathe Kollwitz, Lucian Freud, and Susanna Coffey's three self portraits have similar moods and features.

3. Identify the strongest self-portrait. In a paragraph, explain the elements which make it stand out; use your vocabulary words.
- I think the strongest self portrait is "Reflection Self Portrait" by Lucian Freud. Freud uses contrast between lights and darks to show the wrinkles, creases, and age on his face. He shows a receding hairline and uses a realistic color for his skin. Also, he has an expression on his face that intriques the audience and makes them wonder what Freud is staring at or thinking about. Lucian Freud's "Reflection Self Portrait" differs from the other portraits through its composition and contrast, which makes the self portrait stand out.

4. Typically, self-portraits are not lucrative efforts for living artists. Why might an artist choose to focus on self-portraits? What may drive an artist, like Rembrandt, to devote so much time and effort towards depicting himself? Explain in paragraph form.
- Typically, art is a way to express oneself in different ways and in different mediums. Therefore, self portraits are the ultimate way to express oneself for an artist. The artist is able to express themselves in various situations, or in various states of minds rather than showing their feelings through an event or landscape. Therefore, an artist may spend a lot of time and effort and create many self portraits, which express themselves in different situation and with different feelings. Although people would be less willing to buy a self portrait, the artist may decide to devote themselves to self portraits in order to release pent up feelings and thoughts and express themselves through their actual selves.