We may be able to learn a lot about a portrait based on the objects that surround them in a painting. We will begin our unit on Environmentalism by discussing the following portraits together so we may uncover clues about interests, hobbies and professions based on those objects as we reflect upon what the artists are communicating in their respective works.
The Ambassadors, Hans Holbein the Younger, 1533, From the collection of: The National Gallery, London
Let us take a look at different portraits through out history beginning nearly 600 hundred years ago with The Ambassadors painted in 1533. What are the objects in this work of art?
Portrait of Costanza Alidosi, Lavinia Fontana, ca. 1595, From the collection of: National Museum of Women in the Arts
Do the objects in this painting help us to understand the person's financial or social status in society?
Self-Portrait, Marcellus Laroon the Younger, 1679-1772, ca. 1720, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
What are the objects in this painting? What does the minimal number of objects suggest as to who this person is?
As we examine objects in this painting, we need to begin thinking about portraits as a type of image. What is this image trying to communicate to us?
Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress, Nicolas de Largillierre, about 1710–1714, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This portrait is not only filled with objects but it also painted to show the natural environment in the background. How does this influence our understanding of the image?
Portrait of Gabriel Bernard de Rieux, Maurice-Quentin de La Tour, 1739–1741, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
How does understanding images, in this case-portraits,help us relate to people of the past?
Portrait of a Man, Probably a Self-Portrait, Hugh Barron, ca. 1747–1791, British, ca. 1768, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
When we understand people who lived long ago, in this painting-over 250 years ago, do learn about ourselves in some way?
George Washington, Gilbert Stuart, 1797, From the collection of: The White House
Portraits can be extremely helpful in understanding historical stories or narratives before photography. In this painting of George Washington, what is the artist trying to communicate to us?
Young Lady with Drawing Utensils, Vogel von Vogelstein, Carl Christian, 1816, From the collection of: New Masters Gallery, Dresden State Art Collections
Name the ways the artist is communicating a narrative in this portrait.
Portrait of a Man Playing a Guitar, George Chinnery, 1774–1852, British, between 1830 and 1840, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
Through narratives in portrait paintings, objects give important clues to who the person might have been. Think about the objects that define you?
Self-Portrait ?, Attributed to Herman G. Herkomer, 1863–1935, American, ca. 1895, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
Do you objects define your personality and your likes? Do they remind you of a special moment in your life? Do they represent your dreams for the future?
At the Flower Market, Alice Beard, ca. 1912, From the collection of: National Museum of Women in the Arts
In our unit on Environmentalism, we will take a closer look at objects. Why we do posses them? Which ones define us? How do our objects eventually effect the natural environment in the 21st century.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
