The 17th Century French Royal Academy established a strict hierarchy of painting genres.
- History Paintings
- Portraiture
- Genre Painting
- Landscapes
- Still Life’s
The ranking begs the questions “Who are they to judge which works should be prioritized?” and “What gives them the right to judge?” The answer to both is, of course, The French Royal Academy. The hierarchy has long been abandoned, in many cases regulated to an “interesting fact file” maintained in the heads of many Art History Students who need something profound to say at family gatherings to try and impress their aged Aunt Ethel who is struggling to understand why their young relative is studying Art History instead of something useful like marketing.
da Vinci was never able to part with famous portrait. He liked so well he even dragged it across the Alps on his way from Italy to France. In 1516 The fact that he never delivered it to the family that commissioned it is a cautionary tale to those of you who want to have a portrait done, have a contract people!
The significance of Portraits was rated so high in the hierarchy has to do with their inherent complexity. Portraits are among the most intimate artistic creations, serving as a conversation between the sitter and the artist. Capturing the essence of the human subject presents a unique challenge for the painter, as they must also convey not only the likeness, of the subject, but the emotional essence of the figure as well. We are engrossed by the Mona Lisa, because we are trying to work out what she’s thinking. While the obvious focal point of the portrait is on the subject, they artists voice is heard as well. The image of the sitter must be balanced with the artists interpretation. Whether using oil, photography, acrylic, charcoal, tempura, or pastel, the painter must not only capture the image of the sitter but also glimpse into their inner life. This demanding task is perhaps why the Royal Academy ranked portrait painting so highly.
In June The Hawthorn Gallery will feature portrait painters. In addition to being able to view prime examples of this challenging form, local artists have agreed to work in plein air at the gallery for visitors to catch a glimpse of their craft. Have you ever thought about having a loved one, human or pet, professionally recreated in art? Perhaps, you’ve even thought of having yourself painted. Winston Churchill destroyed his famous portrait commissioned for his 80th birthday, He found it a bit too honest, calling it “malignant”. Graham Sutherlands portrait was burned by Churchill’s wife in order to protect him.
