sixteenth and seventeenth century portraits
“A portrait is typically defined as a representation of a specific individual, such as the artist might meet in life. A portrait does not merely record someone's features, however, but says something about who he or she is, offering a vivid sense of a real person's presence”. (Sorabella, 2007)
- Typically, specially composed to portray the character and attributed of the sitter.
- Mannerist period (1530-1600)
- Baroque period (1600-1700)
- During the 16th century a clear hierarchy of paintings established by the main art academies (based on a pictures perceived qualities)
- Ranked in five genres –
- 1: Historical, religious, mythological (containing narrative or message.
- 2: Portraits
- 3. Genre paintings (everyday life)
- 4: Landscapes
- 5: Still life
- Due to ranking genres artists tried to combine portraits with historical/religious/mythological settings to enhance the standing.
- During the mid 16th centuries the Catholic Council of Trent launched a complain to try and win disillusioned followers back, known as “counter reformation”.
- Used as a propaganda weapon – commissioned a large number of religious paintings and sculptures – including some iconic portraits.
- Dutch school realism – unique period of portraiture.
- Coincides with up surge of Catholic paintings, emerged a mini renaissance in Protestant Holland – fuelled by a new, highly materialistic type of customer – Rich middle class merchants or professionals wanted paintings to make themselves look good.
- Were small enough to hang in a house, detailed enough to seem true to life.
A lady with a squirrel and a starling - hans holbein the younger
Fig.1. Hans Holbein the younger: A lady with a squirrel and a starling. (1526 - 1528)
- Suggested that the sitter is Anne Lovell.
- Starling may be intended to allude to where she lived - East Harling of Norfolk.
- Squirrels were popular pets in England around this time.
- Her family coat of arms included squirrels.
- Portrait may have been part of a pair - the other of her husband.
- Unlikely to have posed with he animals, would have been added after a series of studies.
My version of the painting can be seen above, I've never been able to paint/draw faces of people, so tried to focus on colours rather than visual likeness to the painting. This was a lot harder than I originally expected, mainly due to me not being the greatest with acrylic paint and creating realistic images.
I used acrylic paint, rather than oil, due to already having some at home. I used a palette of white, burnt umber, raw umber, black, paynes grey, flesh tint, ochre, brilliant red, phthalo blue and phthalo green.
After completed the painting I used gloss varnish to give it a more oil-like sheen.
I used acrylic paint, rather than oil, due to already having some at home. I used a palette of white, burnt umber, raw umber, black, paynes grey, flesh tint, ochre, brilliant red, phthalo blue and phthalo green.
After completed the painting I used gloss varnish to give it a more oil-like sheen.
Christina of denmark, duchess of milian - hans holbein the younger
Fig.2. Hans Holbein the Younger: Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan. (1538)
- Portrait of 16 year old Christina of Denmark- widowed duchess of Milan.
- Only full length portrait serving by Holbein.
- Henry VIII was to marry her after the death of her husband in 1535.
- Attempted but failed to marry her as his fourth wife.
- Christina was asked to sit for three hours on the 12th March 1538 for Holbein to paint - Requested by Henry so he could see what she looked like.
- Henry never met her, only through the painting but was believed to be in love.
- Christina wears a black mourning dress - had no embellishments so he created shadow to give more texture and 3D feel to the dress.
- An unseen window gives the light source for shadows on an otherwise plain and flat background.
- Christina was not known for her beauty, but praised on the elegance of her hands - emphasis was placed on these by adding multiple textures - Velvet, fur, leather, gold, linen and gemstone.
- Has a faint smile.
As with the above painting, I tried to match the colours and shapes of the original painting. I used the same palette as my previous painting. Unfortunately due to lighting, the colours don't appear exactly as they are in my sketchbook.
bibliography
National Gallery of Art (s.d.) Dutch and Flemish painting of the 16th -17th centuries. At: http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/dutch-2.html (Accessed on: 17.08.15)
Visual Arts Cork (s.d) Portrait Art. At: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/genres/portrait-art.htm (Accessed on: 17.08.15)
Sorabella, Jean. (2007) Portraiture in Renaissance and Baroque Europe. At: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/port/hd_port.htm (Accessed on: 16.08.15)
The National Gallery. (s.d) A lady with a squirrel and a starling. At: Hans Holbein the younger: A lady with a squirrel and a starling. Accessed on: 17.08.15)
The National Gallery. (s.d) Christina of Denmark, Dutchess of Milan. At: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-christina-of-denmark-duchess-of-milan (Accessed on 17.08.15)
Visual Arts Cork (s.d) Portrait Art. At: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/genres/portrait-art.htm (Accessed on: 17.08.15)
Sorabella, Jean. (2007) Portraiture in Renaissance and Baroque Europe. At: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/port/hd_port.htm (Accessed on: 16.08.15)
The National Gallery. (s.d) A lady with a squirrel and a starling. At: Hans Holbein the younger: A lady with a squirrel and a starling. Accessed on: 17.08.15)
The National Gallery. (s.d) Christina of Denmark, Dutchess of Milan. At: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-christina-of-denmark-duchess-of-milan (Accessed on 17.08.15)
images
Fig.1. Hans Holbein the younger: A lady with a squirrel and a starling. (1526 - 1528) At: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-a-lady-with-a-squirrel-and-a-starling-anne-lovell (Accessed on 17.08.15)
Fig.2. Hans Holbein the Younger: Christina of Denmark, Dutchess of Milan. (1538) At: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-christina-of-denmark-duchess-of-milan (Accessed on 17.08.15)
Fig.2. Hans Holbein the Younger: Christina of Denmark, Dutchess of Milan. (1538) At: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-christina-of-denmark-duchess-of-milan (Accessed on 17.08.15)