Celebrating Self-Portraits & Selfies
The Mirror May Never Lie, But It Doesn't Always Tell The Truth
Years ago, while visiting the Norton Simon Museum, I overheard a tour guide refer to Rembrandt as the first "selfieā artist in history.
I laughed out loud and quickly removed myself to another gallery to compose myself.
It was a funny statement. And had the intended effect: The tour participants leaned in and paid closer attention to the art before them. Probably because they knew selfies.
The truth is Rembrandt did draw and paint himself. A lot. During his life, Norton Simon collected as much of Rembrandt's work (including his self-portraiture) as he possibly could. Sometimes making headlines and history in the process.
This museum experience got me thinking more seriously about the age-old tradition of self-portraits and considering how they paved the way for the modern-day selfie.
Self-portraiture has been a constant in the art world. From Rembrandt's introspective gazes to Frida Kahlo's unapologetic expressions of pain, artists have used self-portraits to convey a range of emotions, tell stories, and leave a mark on history.
Historically. the intersection of self-portraiture and selfies is a fascinating one. The selfie, often dismissed as a product of the digital age's narcissism, may have more in common with classic self-portraits than we realize. Both serve as a means for individuals to define and present themselves, albeit in different mediums.
"I am the subject I know best."
Rembrandt van Rijn
This sentiment echoes through the works of countless artists who have turned their gaze inward. Vincent van Gogh, another master self-portraitist and in one of our favorite quotes, wrote, "I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart." This pursuit of self-understanding is a common thread that unites artists across time.
Contemporary artists have also weighed in on the power of self-portraiture. Based on our experience and research, any and every visual artist throughout history has done at least one self-portrait. We likely think of it as a modern phenomenon because contemporary art is best known and preserved.
Some of our favorite artists (including Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Chuck Close, and Cindy Sherman) made/make self-portraiture a major part of their regular work.
And it's not limited to the visual arts. Most creative fields have their version of self-portraits. The written word has it in the form of memoirs. Memoirs, like self-portraits, provide a lens through which we can explore the inner workings of the creator.
"Every secret of a writerās soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind is written large in his works."
Virginia Woolf
As we celebrate self-portraits and selfies, it's important to recognize the duality of the mirror ā a symbol of both truth and distortion. Creatives from all walks of life grapple with the challenge of presenting an authentic self while acknowledging the subjective, often fleeting, nature of perception.
In the age of social media, the selfie has become a cultural phenomenon, often criticized for its perceived superficiality. But it's worth remembering that, like the self-portraits of old masters, selfies are a form of self-expression, a way for individuals to assert their identity and share their stories with the world.
Whether captured in paint, pixels, or text, self-portraits and selfies are powerful tools for self-exploration and representation.
The mirror may never lie, but it also doesn't always tell the truth.
Self-portraits and selfies reflect our understanding of who we are (or who we aspire to be) and help us present that image to the rest of the world.
Simply put, we celebrate self-portraits and selfies because we see them as creative mirrors and truths to mankind's history and humanity.
Thanks for reading!
Clint
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