The value of a portrait

[Tarique Beg]

Hi folks

I find some people in the public at large understand the value of a portrait. Its permanence, its artistic beauty, and its projection of, not just the resemblance but more importantly, the inner character and personality of the subject as perceived by the painter. Of course, good portrait photographers such as Yousef Karsh have also projected the character and personality of his subjects very effectively through photography using very inventive methods. As the story goes, when Karsh was photographing Winston Churchill, he wasn't satisfied with Churchill's contrived pose. So, he walked up to the statesman and pulled the famous cigar out of Churchill's mouth. Then he quickly returned to his camera and snapped the picture at just the right time. Churchill's indignant and somewhat belligerent expression shows the force of his personality very effectively in that famous photograph. With suitable lenses, and a combination of processing tricks, I guess an expert portrait photographer could create a very artistic effect with insignificant distortion. However, I think a portrait painter who does not have to work within the limitations of any mechanical device or chemical process has maximum control over creativity. I think a portrait painting, in additon to projecting the personality and character of the subject, can also convey that certain ineffable atmosphere of a story. But it requires sensitivity to perceive all this.

There are also some people who don't fully understand the value of a portrait and tend to compare it to a life-size studio photograph. What is your experience ? How do you explain the value of a portrait as a painting to them ? Have you encountered such a situation ? and what is your experience with most people ? Doesn't it also require a certain artistic sensibility in clients for them to be moved by a painting ? what is your experience with the public at large ? comments ?


Tarique