Introduction
This exhibition takes you through the use of the self-portrait through many different eras in history, looking at many different artist such as Caravaggio, Matisse, Van Gogh, Jack Kirby and Denys Cowan. The exhibition is two rooms made up of the most famous self-portraits these artists have created. We are also incredibly lucky to have two very important selfportraits from Van Gogh’s collection of work. What sets us apart from other galleries is our exploration of the comic book medium as we have two works of art from famed comic book artists Jack Kirby and Denys Cowan whose work has influenced a slew of creators throughout the years.
Audio Guides are available in English, French and German ÂŁ2.50 per person
Self-Portrait, Spring 1887 Oil on pasteboard, 42 × 33.7 cm
Van Gogh was a Dutch postimpressionist artist whose work had th
far reaching influence in the 20 Century. His output includes selfportraits, landscapes, still life‘s, olive trees and cypresses. Within his work he created over 43 self-portraits all with different intensities, with or without his beard. This image to the right contains one figure which is Van Gogh the colours used are a mixture of warm which is used for the face whilst the rest of the back ground is incredibly dour with cool and depressing colours being the most prevalent. He is presented with an incredibly morose look upon his face which is also featuring a red haired beard. This to the bottom right also only focuses on the artist there isn’t as much intensity compared to the first image but due to the use of colour which are incredibly dour and depressing still gives the impression that the artist is unhappy. He is presented in a blue waist coat and overcoat with a focused look upon his face. The background is also predominantly cool in colour scheme but textually features a lot of swirling type patterns created by the paint brush which is a common feature in Van Gogh’s work.
Self-Portrait, September 1889 Oil on canvas, 65 × 54 cm
Young Sick Bacchus-Caravaggio (1593)
th
Caravaggio (29 September th
1571-18 July 1610) was an Italian painter active in Rome, Sicily. He is mostly known for being active during the Baroque period of artwork. This painting is a self-portrait of Caravaggio portraying Bacchus the Greek God of wine. He is presented with a crown of leaves upon his head and a tunic that covers his torso. His body is turned away from the audience whilst his head is turned towards us with a rather sickly, morose look upon his face. His hands he is holding on to a group of white grapes. In front of him there appears to be a table that has two peaches and a set of red grapes. The light is shining on the figure who is the focus whilst the background is incredibly dark. Caravaggio appears to be incredibly sickly due to the very pale nature of his skin.
Self-Portrait in a Striped T-shirt 1906
rd
Henri Matisse (31st December 1869-3 November 1954) was a French artist known for his use of colour and fluidity with his draughtsmanship. He was a Draughtsman, printmaker and sculptor. In the first image Matisse is depicted as a lot younger perhaps mid-30s to early 40s. He is wearing a striped shirt and is equipped with a beard and fairly shaved hair. The image was created using oil on canvas. The tones are incredibly cool and understated with the background being most evident of this going from blue straight to black.
In the second drawing Matisse is presented being much older possibly late 50s early 60s, he is lacking in hair and equipped with round glasses and an aged beard. The piece is monochromatic as it does not include any colour as it was created using chalk on paper. This meant it was much easier to blend tonally on important aspects of the subject.
Self-Portrait with Two Circles, 1660. Rembrandt Harmenzoon Van Rijn made around 70 self-portraits within his lifetime. Half of them paintings and half of them were etchings and drawings. He is considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in history. His most notable self-portraits include Self Portrait with Beret and turned up collar created in 1659, a young Rembrandt created in 1628 and a self-portrait with two circles which was created in 1660 and was used as a way to show his drawing prowess. Rembrandt came to prominence during a time known as the Dutch Golden age.
Self Portrait of Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby was an American comic book artist, writer and editor who is mostly known for creating many Iconic Marvel and DC characters way up until his death on February 6 1994.
th
The illustration here presented Jack as a fairly old man being in his early 50s around the time of this illustration, this is evident due to his greying hair and wrinkles in certain areas of his face. The line work is incredibly bold and dynamic which is prevalent in all of Kirby’s work. The figure is presented wearing a pale yellow shirt turning his head towards the audience with a speech bubble besides him saying “Kirby says don’t ask! Just READ IT! Please?” in bold stylised writing. He is also presented at the drawing board drawing another issue of a comic book. The colours used are incredibly one dimensional and bold but due to the use of lines means that shading is not necessary.
Self Portrait of Denys Cowan
Denys Cowan is an American Comic Book Artist mostly well known for creating static shock and co-founder for Milestone Comics.
This illustration presents the artist as fairly young between early to mid-30s. He is clearly a black male due to the tones he has used for his skin when it comes to the ink. He is wearing a black cap with the logo for Milestone Comic. Behind this is his name presented in colourful writings with triangular patterns underlining it. The line work is incredibly kinetic and scratchy with a crosshatching effect being used for shading. The colours used contrast incredibly well due to the dark tones of the earthy browns and dark browns to the colourful oranges purples and greens.
Plan of Gallery