Self-portraits have been an important part of the history of art for centuries, and they continue to be a popular theme among artists, collectors, and curators. This genre has survived for a number of reasons, high among them the fact that the model is nearly perfect-- very inexpensive to hire, always in the studio and ready to work if you are, and usually understands exactly what you are trying to do.

Below is a gallery of notable self-portraits from art history chosen to inspire you as you prepare your entry for American Artist’s Self-Portrait Competition.

 

Louis-Léopold Boilly	Paul Cézanne	Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin
Salvador Dalí	Albrecht Dürer	Lucian Freud
Edward Hopper	Frida Kahlo	Judith Leyster
Alice Neel	Rembrandt	Rembrandt
Rembrandt	John Singer Sargent	Egon Schiele
Egon Schiele	Egon Schiele	Egon Schiele
Zinaida Serebriakova	Vincent van Gogh	Élisabeth-Louis Vigée-Lebrun
Anders Zorn

Enter American Artist’s Self-Portrait Competition here.

Comments

A very compelling argument that the subject is always ready, willing and able to work when the artist is ready to work.

One notable self-portrait that's missing, which is one of my favorites, is that of Norman Rockwell; a true and great American Artist.

Another favorite of mine that's missing is Harley Brown a fantastic pastelist.

come see my selfportraits and let me know what you think - thanks
www.thunguyenpaintings.com

Hi, Have you noticed the difference in a self-portrait that is painted from a photograph and a self-portrait that is painted from life looking in a mirror? When we study these self-portraits that is the most pronounced difference, other than style.
Very interesting,
Thanks, Barb.