An exploration of how distortion in portraiture can create meaning and add layers of symbolism in art, featuring artists from the early 20th Century onwards.
Judith II Salomè, Gustav Klimt, 1909 - 1909, From the collection of: Ca' Pesaro - Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna
This work reminds the viewer of wealth and luxury by using gold as a main colour. The distortion of the figure adds a mysterious element, allowing the subject to seem unusual and exotic.
The Scream, Edvard Munch, 1910, From the collection of: The Munch Museum, Oslo
A highly emotive exploration of fear and suffering. The distortion of the figure in the foreground adds an element of horror, turning the scene into a nightmare-like vision.
The citadel, James GLEESON, 1945, From the collection of: National Gallery of Australia
A horrifically distorted face is torn and growing teeth, becoming a monstrous beast, hinting at themes of destruction of nature, demonisation, perceptions of the individual, and feelings of isolation
A figure fades into the background, displaying themes of rejection and psychological trauma. The distortion of the figure allows it to become semi-abstract, creating a sense of feeling invisible.
Head of JYM III, Frank Auerbach, 1980, From the collection of: British Council
Distorted so far as to become semi-abstract, this figure, pained in dark, gloomy colours, reminds the audience of depression and sadness as well as sleep and dreams through the figure's closed eyes.
Autorretrato, México, Graciela Iturbide, 1989, From the collection of: Fundacion MAPFRE
Exploring themes of nature and death, the covered eyes of the figure leave an ambiguity about the subject. The eyes are the window to the soul, but in this case there are no eyes...
Warhol in Astonishment, Kang, Hyung Koo, 2010, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
The unusual angle of this work creates a sense of surprise in the subject, and also brings up themes of madness and shock as well as public perceptions of the individual.
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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.
