Painting includes various genres, and each of them has its own amateurs. You may prefer still life or abstract art, admire surrealism or get inspiration from seascapes. However, it is the portraits that cause the most impression and delight, according to Noble Portrait, a community of fine portrait artists.
At the same time, a portrait is one of the most complicated tasks for a painter, since it can be difficult to reveal the personality of the sitter and convey his appearance, gestures, and expression. However, even today, many admit that portraits have a much stronger impact than professional photos and trendy spontaneous selfies on the highest quality smartphones.
We cannot overestimate the power and possibilities of an artistic portrait. It is important both for the person depicted on it and for his family and can become a relic for posterity. And this means that a work of art is a particle of eternity!
What is a portrait?
Scientists attribute the first attempts to depict people back to the era of rock art. The popularity of portraits has been growing since Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome and has not faded since then. There were more and more wealthy citizens who wanted to order a portrait of themselves and their loved ones. This demand marked the beginning of portraiture’s development as an integral aspect of art.
To use a dry definition, a portrait is a depiction of a person or a group of people. Besides, today, art historians refer to images of animals and their groups as portraiture as well. The painter applies his talent and techniques familiar to him to reveal the personality of the sitter and interpret it under his particular vision.
Today, experts distinguish the following types of portraits:
- Candid portraits.
- Close-up portraits.
- Conceptual portraits.
- Environmental portraits.
- Glamour portraits.
- Group portraits.
- Lifestyle portraits.
- Pet portraits.
- Self-portraits.
- Traditional portraits.
What is the power of a good portrait?
A talented and harmonious portrait is a true and sometimes unexpected story about a person. The task of an artist working on a painting is much deeper than depicting the appearance and clothes of the sitter. The disclosure of a person’s soul and character means much more.
Posture, expression, and gestures are popular means to reveal the personality of the model, but this is usually followed by non-obvious details. The artist uses the environment, interior, furnishings, and other hints, thanks to which we can judge a person’s tastes and habits as well as his hobbies, occupation, and beliefs.
If the artist has managed to achieve his goals, the portrait becomes strong and engaging for any viewer. It makes you think, analyze, draw conclusions, and imagine—and all of this is precisely the purpose and mission of art.
Perhaps you have noticed that portraits always want to be viewed for a long time, while photos arouse only a momentary interest. It is the beauty and depth of the composition, the palette, and the manner that cause such close attention to works of art.
Why portrait painting will always be relevant in art?
Unfortunately (and maybe, fortunately), the painted portrait has become a luxury item today along with other works of art. Customers turn to artists to paint a portrait when they need to make a special gift or capture themselves, their family, or loved ones. However, in any case, such work is more significant than professional photography.
A photo is just an imprint of reality, while a portrait is a personality, style, and the author’s view. The painter can use his own technique, palette, and interpretation, passing the idea of the portrait through his own emotions and vision, and therefore the result is unique every time.
Today, the world is more dynamic and bustling than ever. However, in the constant race for events and results, we sometimes forget about the main things—personality, individuality, and humanity as they are. Even a talented and high-quality photograph is not always capable of conveying personality and spiritual depth as subtly and accurately as a handwritten portrait can. That is why portraits are so important and valuable in our daily hustle and bustle.
Painting, including portraits, remains an important way of conveying humanity, love, and culture.
