Self-Portraiture
Contributed By
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Self-Portraiture
A collection of various self-portraits throughout art history, for exploration and comparison.
Self-portraits have been prevalent for centuries as ways for artists to immortalize themselves and their passions. As you engage with this collection, ask yourself some of the following questions: Why did the artists choose to paint themselves in this way? What similarities and differences do you notice among these portraits? Why might these artists decide to include certain clothing or objects in their paintings?
By studying these paintings, we can gain a better understanding of who these artists were and what they valued.