1. Technology
Over time and with the help of technology, artists had new ways to both perceive & create
Materials & Tools
Current inventions of the time
Photography
Late 1800’s
Film / Video
Computers
Digitally altered imagery
Library of reference images
Andy Warhol
Lithograph
1986
Dorothea Lange
Photograph
1936
Creature From the Black Lagoon
– Film Poster
Digital Imagery
Chinese Ivory Dragon Carving

2. Photography
Most portraits were paintings& drawings until the development of the camera / photography in the late 1800s.
With this new technology, artists were able to capture people, emotions, and images at a more rapid rate & more accurately than ever before.
Now, we have portrait taking abilities at our fingertips at any given moment throughout the day with the use of our camera phones.

3. Realism vs Abstraction
Has a very strong resemblance to real life
Abstraction
Simplified & broken down … only essential information remains
Self Portrait
Pablo Picasso – 1907 (25 years old)
Self Portrait
Pablo Picasso – 1896 (15 years old)

4. Symbolism
Visually representing an object or idea with another associated with it in some way
Self portraits can have many meanings but should tell you something about the person in the image
What does this self-portrait tell you about the Frida Kahlo?
What do you think the her surroundings say about her?
What might the animals represent?
What do you think about her inclusion of her unibrow & mustache says about her?
Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace & Hummingbird
Frida Kahlo

5. Symbolism Frida Kahlo tells a story through symbolism
Represents her life & relationships
The thorn necklace is being tied by the monkey on her shoulder, her husband who is hurting her.
The hummingbird is mean to represent life, but here it is black and lifeless, representing the death of a marriage.
Black cat = Bad luck
Butterflies on her head represent freedom & a sense of renewed purpose
Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace & Hummingbird
Frida Kahlo

6. Non traditional self portraits
Artists represent themselves without showing their physical appearance to different degrees
Can reveal & represent different qualities / attributes or the artist
Physically or emotionally
What a person likes or stands for
How they see themselves
A variety of objects / materials can be used to represent the artist