Chapter 3: Artists Self Portraits

 

5.3.1

Samples of artists self portraits

Researching in books and on the web often made me wish I could see the originals. Next time I go to an exhibition I will certainly pay more attention to self-portraits.

All the self-portraits I have collected here have something which fascinates or inspires me.

 

	Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757) Self portrait with laurel wreath, around 1742 Pastel Rosalba Carriera may perhaps not be well known today, but I found her named in my books on pastels as a pioneer of this technique and famous in her time. She layered and blended the colours and achieved a gentle glow. Here the colours are cold and grayish and underline the sadness of her expression.
	Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin (1699-1779) Pastel Chardin is said to have changed his technique from oil to pastel in later life because of failing eyesight. He applied colours in short parallel strokes which remain visible, a good way to show the details of an aged face.  I like the eyeglasses!
	Paul Gauguin Les misérables Oil on canvas, 1888 Painted for Vincent van Gogh, with a portrait of Émile Bernard in the background. I like the bold forms with their clear outlines and the vibrant colours.
	Egon Schiele (1890 – 1918) Self-portrait with hands laid against the chest, 1910 Charcoal, watercolour and chinese white Schiele was such a wonderful draftsman. In his sketches and studies he used colour to highlight what he was interested in and left the rest of the paper white. The contrast of the blue-black hair to the ochre and red tones of the skin is almost complementary. With the white on the eyelids it makes me think of a mask.
	Gwen John (1876 – 1939) Self-portrait with a letter 1907 I could not find out much about this painting on the web. It  looks like watercolour over  pencil outlines, the lines are still visible. It is like a snapshot, as if the artist had caught herself in a moment. I wish I could see the original or a good large print!
	Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) Self portrait with black mouth Oil on canvas, 1939 There have been a few exhibitions recently which have brought Helene Schjerfbeck to attention. I found her in a book about women artists. I find the limited range of colours and the reduced forms fascinating. Every detail carries a lot of meaning.
	Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880 – 1938) Self-portrait, 1913 oil on canvas
	Horst Janssen (1929 – 1995) ”Selbst nur so”, 1983 Watercolour Janssen uses watercolour in apparently wild splashes. This may be in keeping with his “enfant terrible” role, but the result is fascinating.
	Marianne Werefkin (1860 – 1938) Self-portrait, 1910 Tempera on paper I love this self-portrait, it is so bold with the blue and red eyes and so full of energy. The brushstrokes in the background remind me of Van Gogh.
	David Hockney Self portrait, 1954 Collage

 

Copy

	I chose Gauguin’s portrait, not least because I had a library book with the reproduction available and could see a bit of detail.
	This copy was done with acrylics on A3 240g coated paper.
	Initial sketch with pencil and blue inktense pencil, using the grid method for transfer. It was interesting to see how the outlines meet and flow into each other, especially around the eyes and the nose.
	Second copy: My first portrait with pastels, on A3 Canson paper. The way Gauguin painted his cheek and hair gave me the idea to try a pastel version, using unblended strokes in layers.
It was exciting to find which colours to use. I had to be bold with the tones and shades. For instance, a really bright tone of yellow orange was right for the	beard, and turquoise instead of blue grey for the shadowed cheek. It was great fun!