We are surrounded by portraits: from the cipher-like portrait of a queen on a bank note to security pass photos; from images of politicians in the media to Facebook; from galleries exhibiting Titian or Leonardo to contemporary art featuring the self-image; as with Jeff Koons or Cindy Sherman. In Antiquity portraiture was of major importance in the exercise of power. Today it remains not only a part of everyday life but also a crucial way for artists to define themselves in relation to their environment and their contemporaries.In Portrayal and the Search for Identity; Marcia Pointon investigates how we view and understand portraiture as a genre; and how portraits function as artworks within social and political networks. Likeness is never a straightforward matter as we rarely have the subject of a portrait as a point of comparison. Featuring familiar canonical portraits works as well as little-known works; Portrayal seeks to unsettle notions of portraiture as an art of convention; a reassuring reflection of social realities. Readers are instead invited to consider how identity is produced pictorially; and where likeness is registered apart from in a face. In exploring these issues; the author addresses wide-ranging problems such as the construction of masculinity in dress; representations of slaves; and self-portraiture in relation to mortality.
#3039177 in eBooks 2013-02-26 2013-02-26File Name: B00BLP4DC4
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Beethovens arrival is welcomedBy Sandra S. KaplanI am happy that Beethoven wrote some sonatas that a near beginner can play. The book arrived in good condition. I had lost my previous copy and now I can continue to play the two sonatas I have learned. They are a welcome change from the Bach inventions that occupy my piano time most often.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy villagemanexpensive0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. As advertised; good arrangements.By Kyle GarciaGood arrangements for varying degrees of playing ability.