SELFIES, PORTRAITS & SELF-PORTRAITS

HOW DO SELF-PORTRAITS IN ART HISTORY PLAY THE SAME ROLE AS MODERN SELFIES?

T1-A1-Doc2 : FAMOUS SELF PORTRAITS
Click to see details

William Hogarth (1745)

This is Hogarth’s informal self-portrait, seated beside his pet pug named Trump.

The painting was completed in 1745, although work first began in the 1730s.

It originally included formal attire that was later replaced with more relaxed clothing.

William Turner (1799)

Painted himself at an important stage in his career, aiming to mark a personal milestone. By this time, Turner was already recognised as a skilled and ambitious artist.

It presents a full face-on half-length view of the fresh-faced young artist, looking directly out at the viewer.

The Romanticised and idealised view of Turner shows him as a prosperous Georgian gentleman, befitting his success and status, with the collar of his dark coat turned up.

Norman Rockwell (1960)

Triple Self-Portrait is an oil painting by American illustrator Norman Rockwell created for the cover of the February 13, 1960, edition of The Saturday Evening Post.

On the canvas in front of the illustrator is an unfinished sketch of himself in his idealized art style. On the right side of the canvas Rockwell pinned self-portraits by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, and Picasso. A piece of paper with sketches sits on the left.

In total, there are seven self-portraits depicted in the work.

Andy Warhol (1967)

This self-portrait is a classic example of Pop Art — bold, flat colours; repetition; mass‑production aesthetic

Warhol shows himself with his hand raised to his mouth in a reflective, almost secretive gesture.

This is part of a multi‑panel series where the same image is repeated in different colour combinations.

The repetition and colour shifts highlight Warhol’s interest in celebrity, self‑image, and mass reproduction.

The finger‑to‑lips gesture may suggest mystery, self‑protection, or a guarded identity — a recurring theme in Warhol’s work, as he was both a public figure and a very private person.

CAN A VENNE DIAGRAM HELP US COMPARE THE TWO PHENOMENA?

SO, WHY DO ARTISTS MAKE (SO MANY!) SELF PORTRAITS?

Practice and study – using themselves as the most available model to refine technique.

Experimentation – trying new styles, lighting, or materials without relying on a sitter.

Self-promotion – showcasing their skill and image to potential patrons or clients.

Identity exploration – reflecting on who they are, their emotions, and their place in society.

Autonomy – being in full control of pose, timing, and expression.

Legacy – leaving a visual record of how they looked at a certain age or period.

Psychological expression – revealing moods, struggles, or inner states that might not be visible otherwise.

Symbolism – embedding hidden messages, status symbols, or allegories about the artist’s life.

Economic reasons – saving money by not paying for a model.

Playfulness and wit – inserting themselves humorously or cleverly into their work.

Exploring mortality – confronting aging or death (especially in late self-portraits).

Cultural statement – asserting their role as an intellectual, not just a craftsman (especially during the Renaissance).

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE COMPARE THE MOTIVATIONS OF ARTISTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA USERS?

OBJECTIVE : WRITING COMPLEX PHRASES : EXAMPLES

Today, people use Instagram and social media to show their lives WHEREAS artists SOMETIMES use self-portraits to show their skills.
Aujourd’hui, les gens utilisent Instagram et les réseaux sociaux pour montrer leur vie, tandis que les artistes utilisent parfois l’autoportrait pour montrer leur savoir-faire.
Artists use self portraits to explore their identity. SIMLARLY, people use selfies on Instagram to show different facets of their identity.
Les artistes se servent de l’autoportrait pour explorer leur identité. De même, les gens utilisent les selfies sur Instagram pour montrer différentes facettes de leur identité.
People use often Instagram for self-promotion AND SO DO SOME artists when they do self-portraits.
Les gens utilisent souvent Instagram pour se mettre en avant, et certains artistes font de même lorsqu’ils réalisent des autoportraits.
People take selfies so they control their image and IN THE SAME WAY artists do self-portaits to control their self-image.
Les gens prennent des selfies pour contrôler leur image et, de la même façon, les artistes font des autoportraits pour maîtriser l’image qu’ils donnent d’eux-mêmes.

HOW AND WHY DO PEOPLE USE INSTAGRAM?

Staying connected – keeping up with friends, family, and communities.

Sharing life moments – posting photos, videos, and stories of personal milestones or everyday life.

Entertainment – watching Reels, memes, funny videos, and viral content.

Inspiration – exploring fashion, design, travel, fitness, recipes, and creative ideas.

Networking – connecting with people in their field, finding collaborations or business opportunities.

Brand building – showcasing a personal or professional brand to grow visibility.

Shopping & discovery – finding new products, services, and small businesses through posts and ads.

Education – following accounts that share tips, tutorials, and bite-sized knowledge.

Self-expression – experimenting with photography, video, and aesthetic styles.

Community & belonging – joining niche interest groups and fandoms, feeling part of a larger conversation.

News & trends – staying updated on events, pop culture, and trending topics.

Promotion – marketing products, services, events, or causes to a wider audience.

Escapism – scrolling as a way to relax or take a mental break.

SAME

SIMILARLY

LIKEWISE

...SO DO...

IN THE SAME WAY

DIFFERENCE

WHEREAS

HOWEVER

ON THE OTHER HAND

WHY DO ARTISTS DO SELF PORTRAITS?

Practice and study – using themselves as the most available model to refine technique.

Experimentation – trying new styles, lighting, or materials without relying on a sitter.

Self-promotion – showcasing their skill and image to potential patrons or clients.

Identity exploration – reflecting on who they are, their emotions, and their place in society.

Autonomy – being in full control of pose, timing, and expression.

Legacy – leaving a visual record of how they looked at a certain age or period.

Psychological expression – revealing moods, struggles, or inner states that might not be visible otherwise.

Symbolism – embedding hidden messages, status symbols, or allegories about the artist’s life.

Economic reasons – saving money by not paying for a model.

Playfulness and wit – inserting themselves humorously or cleverly into their work.

Exploring mortality – confronting aging or death (especially in late self-portraits).

Cultural statement – asserting their role as an intellectual, not just a craftsman (especially during the Renaissance).