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| Albrecht Dürer, Self-portrait, 1500, 67.1 x 48.9cm (Alte Pinakothek, Munich)Image source |
This portrait used is different in comparison to another portrait done of him wearing white, having landscape through a window in the background and the positioning of the body is more inviting. In this portrait he has almost resembled himself as Christ. The direct nature of the facing portrait strikes into the viewer. The artists was very interested in the ways of science and art working together. Along with philosophy, ancient literature, writer and painting. The artist in doing this portrait remained to northern traditional painting in the positioning of himself and paying attention to detail. The artist has done a number of paintings for people like the Roman emperor, and even the king of Spain. From what has been told, he was as important as an artist can be during the 1600's. On the portrait itself he describes he is only 28 years old at the time he produced this painting. The signature and script are put at eye level, and the emphasis within his detail and lighting to his hand were purposefully done to describe that the most important aspects to an artist are his hands and his eyes.
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| Portrait of Sin Sukju, second half of the 15th century, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, 167 x 109.5 cm, Goryeong Sin Family Collection, Cheongwon, Treasure no. 613.Image source |
The portrait seen is commemorated to the sitter in both life and death in Joseon dynasty Korea. The painting depicts Sin Sukju as a meritorious subject. Also known as an official honored for his distinguished service at court and loyalty to the king during a tumultuous time. Sin Sukju was a powerful politician and scholar who eventually took the rank as prime minister. The portrait itself is a reflection of both honor to his lineage as a meritorious official as well as Confucian beliefs about the afterlife. The material used on this portrait was carefully chosen to depict the clothing perfectly. The purpose is so that the artist are able to capture the robes according to the prescribed rank or title, while another may have painted the face in its full detail.
After research, I believe the first portrait was set to be seen as a way to communicate just how powerful a single mans work can be while also expressing the tools he found most important as an artist. The second was made in honor of someone with much knowledge, devotion, and loyalty through the many years of service.
Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Albrecht Dürer, Self-Portrait (1500)," in Smarthistory, December 9, 2015, accessed February 14, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/albrecht-durer-self-portrait-1500/.
I agree that when looking at Durer's self-portrait, the emphasis is placed on his hands and face. I think it is a good point to make that he felt he resembled Christ because that gives the viewer an insight on how he viewed himself amongst others. I find it interesting that he chose to position himself this way, whereas when we look at the portrait of Sin Sukju, an important figure, he is positioned from afar. When looking at both portraits, do you think one portrait is more successful in demonstrating the importance of that subject/person? Good job!
ReplyDelete-Maribel Y.