Painting of the Day: The Tintoretto Self Portrait, 1548

The Victoria & Albert Museum

One of the greatest painters in Italy in the Sixteenth Century, Tintoretto (1519-1594) has become known throughout the world for his bold and dramatic work. This early and forceful self-portrait, by the great Venetian painter, was created with the aid of a mirror. Self-portraits such as this, by popular artists, became desirable with collectors during the Renaissance.

The bust-length portrait of a young Jacopo Tintoretto dates to about 1548.

Painting of the Day: A Sixteenth-Century Flemish Portrait

Rendered in thick strokes of rich greens, umbers and yellows, this portrait of a young man most likely comes from the County of Flanders and dates to the late Sixteenth Century. The County of Flanders overlapped parts of present-day Belgium. We can tell this painting is Flemish by the style of the young man’s cap and dress. Artist’s apprentices of the time were attired in outfits such as this.

With his sullen, expectant expression, the subject radiates an adolescent insecurity—the emotions of someone learning a craft during an uncertain time. Still in its original frame, the painting is flanked by leather straps which form a decorative pattern around the canvas. An unusual find, I am fond of this painting because of the raw emotion that it exhibits. Here is proof of the mastery of Flemish painting—the ability to create a fully formed portrait from a limited color palette and loose brush strokes.

Reminder: Self-Portrait Contest

The deadline for our Self-Portrait Contest is tomorrow at midnight.  Many thanks to all of you who have already submitted your pictures.  Just email your image to me.  The winner will be announced on Friday!

Reminder: Self-Portrait Contest

Remember, the deadline for submissions to our Self-Portrait Contest is Thursday, June 29 at midnight.  Many thanks to those who have already submitted.  They're great!  Again, the rules are rather loose, your self-portrait can anything creative that you think represents you.  Can't wait to see what you submit!

Contest: Submit Your Self Portrait

My love of portraiture is well-known (I suppose, to those who know me). For me, a portrait is monumental and lasting. I find portraiture to be one of the most moving art forms. Of all portraits, however, the self-portrait is the most touching. And, so, I’d like to introduce a contest to Stalking the Belle Époque. I invite all of you to submit your own self-portraits to me. It can be anything…a photograph, a drawing, a sculpture…anything. And, remember, for our purposes, a self-portrait doesn’t have to be literal. It can be anything that represents you. Email your image to me. On Friday, July 30, I’ll announce the winner. The winner’s image will be posted here at Stalking the Belle Époque. I look forward to seeing you!

Above image:  Yes, that's me.  It's a drawing I did recently as part of a set that I will call, "Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner."  That's "Breakfast."..a rather accurate representation of the glazed look I have at the start of the day.