Portraiture is one of the oldest forms of art, dating back thousands of years to the days of Ancient Egypt. Before photography, portraits were the only way to capture someone’s likeness and were therefore an important form of art. Many artists became known for their portrait commissions of important figures in history, such as royal families, and portraits were used to depict the subject in a manner that highlighted their wealth and beauty. It was considered an honor for an artist to be selected to paint a portrait of an important figurehead, and many artists would vie for the opportunity.
Portraits served many different functions over time. Before photography, small portraits (called miniatures) were kept by people to cherish or remember a loved one. Portraits were also important ways for rulers to establish their presence in their territories, both near and far. Portraits were used as a way to flatter and showcase the subject, as well as capture important moments in time and historic details. Historians have gathered a wealth of valuable information about different periods in time from the details in portraits from that era.
The nature of a portrait is simple; it aims to capture a person’s likeness – but the style in which it is done is entirely up to the artist. Some artists would aim to paint the subject exactly as they appeared, while other artists preferred to interpret their subject in a new or surprising way. There have been iconic portraits across many different genres of art. We’ve selected pieces from our online art gallery that showcase portraits in three popular genres – surrealism, photorealism and impressionism.
Portraits in Surrealism
Surrealism is a genre of art that aims to evoke elements of both the conscious and unconscious mind. It combines dream-like, imaginative elements with realistic depictions of the world around us. The Surrealism movement first began in post-World War One Europe. There have been many iconic surrealist portraits. One of the most famous Surrealist artists is Salvador Dali. He painted several portraits in the surrealist style he is best known for. Here are a few Surrealist portraits from the Zatista collection.
Long story short by Irene Raspollini
Photorealistic Portraits
Photorealism is a style of art that features hyper-realistic details. The level of intricate detail used by photorealistic artists often results in a painting that looks as though it is a photograph. This style first became popular in the 1960s and ’70s. Chuck Close is a well-known photorealistic artist and has painted many portraits over the years. His work is extremely realistic, and his portraits feature his family, fellow artists and celebrities. We’ve selected two photorealistic portraits from our collection.
Between Guests, Tower of London by Terry Guyer
Impressionism in Portraits
Impressionism is a style of art that uses small, thin brushstrokes and that emphasizes the accurate depiction of light within a scene. Impressionism aims to capture the world around us in what was considered a modern method when the movement first began in the 1860s. Édouard Manet was one of the most well-known Impressionist artists and was known for his paintings and portraiture. He produced many portraits over the years, including self-portraits. Here are a few featured Impressionist portraits from our collection of original artwork.
Another Way by William Oxer F.r.s.a.
Portrait of van Gogh by Thong Le
Whether hyper-realistic or unconventional, portraits offer a glimpse into the life of the subject, showcasing who they are through the eyes of the artist. There are so many different styles of portraiture, each with its own unique take on what it means to capture a person’s likeness.
Portraits make great conversation pieces and are a unique art choice for your home. They look great hung in living rooms, offices or dens- but the choice is yours! Selecting art for your home is a uniquely personal venture and one to be enjoyed.
Shop portrait art on Zatista. We have pieces in a variety of styles and mediums available. Our art collection contains thousands of original paintings from artists around the world. Shop art online at Zatista.com to discover your new favorite piece!
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