The art of portraiture is a delicate and nuanced balance. There is a negotiation between the artist and the subject as to how to portray the individual. Pose, lighting, expression, wardrobe, setting… all of these are carefully considered decisions.
A well composed portrait sends a clear message about the who the subject wants others to believe they are, but at the same time it needs to be realistic enough for the audience to accept that message without question. It has to appear truthful and honest despite the fact that it is entirely staged.
With that in mind I would like to suggest a critique of an iconic portrait of one of our icons, Charles Darwin.
Question: What message is this portrait attempting to send about Darwin?
The ART Inquisition (or AI) is a question posed to you, the Mad Art Lab community. Look for it to appear Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3pm ET.
All portraits from this time period say the same thing to me: don’t move don’t move don’t move
Hi gaze is to the side and not directed at the viewer perhaps to imply a non aggressive contemplative subject. The softness and the blurred edges convey a subtle mystery and gentleness of a wise man.
@Brian, given that photographs required absolute stillness, what does it say that they chose that medium?