Self image: making a self-portrait (2)
Are you going to be the only figure in your self-portrait? We usually think of a self-portrait as being an image of the artist alone, but if someone else is included, a partner or family member for example, the self-portrait can also be about the relationship between the artist and that person.
Francis Hayman; Grosvenor Bedford
by Francis Hayman
circa 1748-1750
NPG 217
Sir Roy Yorke Calne; John Bellany
by John Bellany
1992
NPG 6193
John Bellany's painting is a 'diptych' which means that it is in two parts, often equal in size, the figures exist side by side on separate pieces of paper. Although it is a commissioned portrait of Sir Roy Calne, it is also a self-portrait. This work shows the surgeon responsible for saving Bellany's life, so in this sense, the diptych is an "extra real" self-portrait, literally a memento mori. The painting is highly stylized, with objects and colours placed randomly in the background.
Do you appear with your partner?
Joseph Southall; Anna Elizabeth Southall
by Joseph Edward Southall
1911
NPG 7020
William Roberts; Sarah Roberts (née Kramer)
by William Roberts
1975
NPG 5808
Patricia Morley; Lewis Morley
by Lewis Morley
1959
NPG x87165
Humphrey Chamberlain; Agnes Turner (née Chamberlain)
by Benjamin Brecknell Turner
1855
NPG P1003
Identity
by Liz Rideal
1985
NPG D11008
The Academicians of the Royal Academy (enlarged detail)
by John Sanders after Johan Zoffany, 1773
For 'Identity', the artist installed a photo-booth in the basement of the National Portrait Gallery and invited the public to 'disguise or reveal themselves' for the camera with the aid of props and costumes. One can make out the outline of a face on the right hand side of the collage. To create this larger self-portrait (made up literally of the 'hand of the artist') Rideal took photographs of her body and hands which appear black against the grey of the booth curtain backdrop.
The idea was to invite the general public, artists and celebrities into the gallery and create a mass portrait of tiny photographs taken identically but with each person performing in an individual way for the camera.
Harry Borden
by Harry Borden
1998
NPG x87889
Occasionally artists include mirror reflections when making a portrait of someone else. In this way they can connect their portrait to ongoing work. Van Eyck's Arnolfini Marriage (National Gallery, London) and Las Meninas by Velasquez (The Prado, Spain) are probably the most fêted and wonderful examples of this particular format.
Often photographers will record themselves reflected in a shiny surface. Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976) famously made her self-portrait reflected in a San Francisco shop window. Or see this example of Harry Borden who took a long, thin mirror outside on the grass, making a visual conundrum.
You might make yourself a figure amongst many.
Peggy Angus was a friend of the family and includes herself standing by the piano with Ramsay MacDonald's family.
Ramsay MacDonald with members of his family
by Peggy Angus
1930s
NPG 6102
James Ramsay MacDonald (enlarged detail)
by Margaret MacGregor ('Peggy') Angus
Study for Patrons and Lovers of Art by P.C.Wonder includes G.W.Taylor, W.Holwell-Carr, Sir James Murray & P.C. Wonder himself.
Study for 'Patrons and Lovers of Art'
by Pieter Christoffel Wonder
1826-1830
NPG 792
Study for 'Patrons and Lovers of Art' (enlarged detail)
by Pieter Christoffel Wonder
Here Jerry Barrett is a voyeur at the window viewing Florence Nightingale receiving the wounded at Scutari.
The Mission of Mercy: Florence Nightingale receiving the Wounded at Scutari
by Jerry Barrett
1857
NPG 6202
'The Mission of Mercy' (enlarged detail)
by Jerry Barrett, 1857
Perhaps with this back view Jemima Blackburn provides us with information about her modesty and position in society whilst ensuring her presence in the work as artist and participant.
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt showing his pictures
by Jemima Blackburn (née Wedderburn)
1844
NPG 2772(28a)
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt showing his pictures (enlarged detail)
by Jemima Blackburn (née Wedderburn)
Paul Nash included himself in this musical group
Musical Group (Madge Lee (née Pemberton); John Nash; Rupert Lee; Margaret Nash (née Odeh); Paul Nash)
by Paul Nash
circa 1913
NPG 5509
Musical Group (enlarged detail)
by Paul Nash
You might like to show yourself as an artist amongst artists, thus confirming your status as ARTIST
These images show artists at work or meeting with contemporary colleagues. It is interesting to see where they put themselves within the painted compositions.
Private View of the Old Masters Exhibition, Royal Academy, 1888
by Henry Jamyn Brooks
1889
NPG 1833
Private View of the Old Masters (enlarged detail)
Exhibition, Royal Academy 1888
by Henry Jamyn Brooks, 1889
In a 1914 account , Brooks wrote about the difficulty he had creating the parquet floor in perspective .
'A Conversation of Virtuosis...at the Kings Arms'
by Gawen Hamilton
1735
NPG 1384
'A Conversation of Virtuosis...at the Kings Arms' (enlarged detail)
by Gawen Hamilton
The Selecting Jury of the New English Art Club, 1909
by Sir William Orpen
1909
NPG 2556
The Selecting Jury of the New English Art Club, 1909 (enlarged detail)
by Sir William Orpen
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
1773, based on a work of 1772
NPG 1437
Trevor Leighton with his daughter Rosie
by Trevor Leighton
1990s
NPG x126170
James Barry; Dominique Lefevre; James Paine the Younger
by James Barry
circa 1767
NPG 213
James Barry; Dominique Lefevre; James Paine the Younger (enlarged detail)
by James Barry
Related portraits
- 'A Conversation of Virtuosis...at the Kings Arms' (NPG 1384)
- Francis Hayman; Grosvenor Bedford (NPG 217)
- James Barry; Dominique Lefevre; James Paine the Younger (NPG 213)
- The Academicians of the Royal Academy (NPG 1437)
- Study for 'Patrons and Lovers of Art' (NPG 792)
- Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt showing his pictures (NPG 2772(28a))
- Humphrey Chamberlain; Agnes Turner (née Chamberlain) (NPG P1003)
- The Mission of Mercy: Florence Nightingale receiving the Wounded at Scutari (NPG 6202)
- Private View of the Old Masters Exhibition, Royal Academy, 1888 (NPG 1833)
- The Selecting Jury of the New English Art Club, 1909 (NPG 2556)
- Joseph Southall; Anna Elizabeth Southall (NPG 7020)
- Musical Group (Madge Lee (née Pemberton); John Nash; Rupert Lee; Margaret Nash (née Odeh); Paul Nash) (NPG 5509)
- Ramsay MacDonald with members of his family (NPG 6102)
- William Roberts; Sarah Roberts (née Kramer) (NPG 5808)
- Sir Roy Yorke Calne; John Bellany (NPG 6193)
- Patricia Morley; Lewis Morley (NPG x87165)
- Trevor Leighton with his daughter Rosie (NPG x126170)
- Harry Borden (NPG x87889)
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Related resources
Self image
Self image: Basic materials and techniques
Glossary