Activity 1: exploring portraits and self-portraits

Introduction

In this activity students discuss the definition of a portrait. They explore examples of portraits and self-portraits in a range of styles and from a range of time periods.

Resources

• Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW
• Gallery

• Activity stepsShow details
  1. A portrait is generally defined as a likeness or a description of a person. Discuss this definition, giving students the opportunity to build on previous knowledge about the meaning and look of a portrait or self-portrait.
  2. Show students the examples of portraits and self-portraits provided in the gallery, linked under 'Resources'. Referring to the examples, ask them questions such as the following.
     • If a portrait is about the likeness of a person, how can a painting be called a portrait when there is no face? Is it still a portrait? Why?
     • Traditionally, a portrait was only the head and shoulders of a person, but some of these examples include the entire body or are a collection of moving images on a television screen that show the people and their faces. Are they still portraits? Give a reason for your opinion.
     • Some of the portraits have backgrounds. Some people in the portraits are holding objects or are wearing particular clothing. What might this be showing or telling us about the person in the artwork?
     • How are these artworks influenced by when and why they were made?
     • What have the artists used in the self-portraits to communicate something about their life to the audience?
     • What is the Archibald Prize and where can the current and past selections be found?
  3. You or the students may wish to take notes because the students will draw on their discussion in Activity 2.1.