Portraits

Chuck Close
Self Portrait
link
Self Portrait
link
John, 1997
link

Sofonisba Anguissola
Portrait of the Artist's Sisters Playing Chess, 1555
Oil on canvas
link

John Singer Sargent
The Sitwell Family [London], 1900
Oil on canvas
link
The Daughters of Edward D. Boit, 1882
Oil on canvas
link

Tracy Moffat
Scarred for Life series, 1994
link

Catherine Opie
Self Portrait / Nursing, 2004
C-print
link
Oliver in a Tutu, 2005
From the series ‘In and Around Home’
C-print
link
Nick (from the Surfers series), 2003
C-print
link

Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian 1593 - 1652/1653)
Judith Slaying Holofernes, 1612
link
Susanna and the Elders, 1610
link
Her first dated and signed work is so remarkably mature for a seventeen-year-old that many attributed it to her father. However, it is the painting that is accepted, without dispute, as being the first autograph painting by Artemisia. Her signature can be found in the shadow caste by Susanna's legs.

The work shows anatomical accuracy and advanced colour and construction. Her father may have guided her with the design and execution of the painting. Her palette owes much to Michelangelo, a major influence on her style.

Artemisia depicts the biblical story of Susanna, a virtuous young wife sexually harassed by the elders of her community. Rather than showing Susanna as coyly or flirtatious (as many male artists had painted the scene), Artemisia takes the female perspective and portrays Susanna as vulnerable, frightened, and repulsed by their demands, while the men loom large, leering, menacing, and conspiratorial in her direction.

Rembrandt's version
link

Alessandro Allori's version
link