Thoughts on a Portrait

'Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting' Artemisia Gentileschi


It's such an arresting image - the artist lost in her work, staring intently at her painting, probably scrutinising an eye that doesn't look quite in the right direction, or a curl of the lip not adequately expressed.

Artists like to picture themselves at work, but particularly the female ones it seems. It's as if to say 'yep, it's really me doing the painting - I'm not the muse here, or some prostitute dragged in to model, or the wife of someone important. I am the doer.' But in no portrait, male or female is this spirit of 'doing' more self-evident than in the ' Self-Portrait as Allegory of Painting', by Artemisia Gentileschi. Most at least interrupt their studies at the canvas to gaze at the viewer, which, let us be honest here, is really a mirror. But admire the set-up that allowed the artist to portray herself at that angle, on her side, half from above. Even setting up a camera to capture that angle proved a challenge and one that I still failed to quite get right when trying to recreate the image. Doing that from mirrors must have presented myraid challenges.

Perhaps the intensity of concentration is intended to convey her seriousness. No cosseted daughter of the aristocracy lies before you, painting just to show off her accomplishment. This is a woman serious about her painting and intent on letting you know that too. You are not meant to admire her skill in dressing, or her fine headgear or elegant jewellery. Her hair is messy, unstyled and falling loose around her face; there's the hint of a sheen of sweat on her face. She's too involved to look up, or acknowledge the viewer.

It stands out when seen in the context of an art gallery - in this case, the Cumberland Art Gallery at Hampton Court Palace, surrounded by other figures and portraits. It strives to be different, to prove something. It doesn't sit back on its laurels, knowing that it's good enough. It grabs your attention by being different to the rest, like the lone female in a room full of chaps.




'Self Portrait as an Allegory of Artemisia' Vicki Cooke 2015
Currently on display at Hogarth House, Chiswick, til March '15