A portrait: what is it? To be clear from the outset, one of the most significant genres in the history of art is without a doubt portraiture. The most popular artistic genre is perhaps portraiture, along with landscapes. There are several explanations for this, all of which may be summed up by the potent enchantment of portraiture. In spite of all the challenges that modern portraiture faces, the genre is still vibrant and will continue to be so in the near future. However, some argue that modern portraiture does not belong in contemporary art, citing key qualities of this genre instead than the artists themselves. In particular, it concerns the painting of portraits that some experts find objectionable. Nevertheless, because of their allure, portraiture survives the fierce rivalry of the modern art scene.

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What Makes Portraiture So Magical?

The act of capturing a person’s likeness and character in a picture, painting, sculpture, or other media is known as portraiture. Its capacity to capture a figure’s psychological as well as physical traits is what makes it so enchanted. We just enjoy looking at the faces and figures of other individuals when it comes to painting them. That process of observation has a certain satisfying quality to it—it may even be considered masturbatory, but only in the symbolic meaning of the word; for example, sexual portraiture is also an art form. But for a few decades now, portrait painting has been criticized for being too traditional, out of style, and failing to “fulfill” the unspoken rules that characterize modern art. However, collectors and art enthusiasts continue to find portraiture—even the classic sort that peaked in the 19th century—to be highly appealing.

The Present Situation of Portraiture in Modern Art

The primary attribute of portraiture is its ability to capture the essence of a subject’s look and personality. The criticism of pure representation is one of the main effects of the conceptual art movement on contemporary art in general. In addition to conveying details to viewers about the subject’s look, a portrait’s background, identity concerns, and societal issues are crucial components of modern art. These demands are beyond the reach of symbolism. Nonetheless, there are countless instances of portrait artists that expertly address these problems. Just to give you some inspiration, check out Kehinde Wiley’s incredible photos, which are known for their profound political and social commentary. Furthermore, no one can argue that the portraits are not legitimate works of contemporary art since they are so inventive and unique.

Is the Passé Portrait?

One of the primary purposes of a portrait, creating a likeness, is rendered obsolete by technical advancements, the advent of modern photography, and the rise of social media. After all, we don’t really need an artist to tell us what someone looks like. This is especially true when it comes to playing famous people (like Andy Warhol or Elizabeth Peyton). We may now just Google it to view a picture of a famous person. We also have a ton of photo competitions with incredible portraits, frequently taken by amateurs, including the World Press Photo Contest and the URBAN 2015 International Street Photo Contest. Selfies and photos from the Internet and social media are all around us, and they are all identified as portraits. What role does portraiture really play in modern art, then?

A Variety of Contemporary Portraiture Examples

Yes, there are portraits all around us; we can’t help but notice them. But portraits are much more than just representations in modern art. It has succeeded in modifying its genre to meet the requirements of modern art. People still adore portraiture, and it is still widely accepted. Its shapes have evolved, it is somewhat different now, and it draws inspiration from several trends (abstract, minimalist, digital art, etc.). Sascha Braunig’s paintings demonstrate the emergence of new artists who are producing stunning portraits, cementing the prominence of portraiture as a powerful genre in modern art. The power of portraiture is just too great.