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Posted by: Kristi Finefield
As part of a series of posts about portraits in the collections of the Prints & Photographs Division, this post focuses on the work of FSA photographer Jack Delano.
Posted in: FSA/OWI, Photographs, Series: Profiling Portraits
Posted by: Kristi Finefield
In this entry in the occasional series where we look at portraits in the collections, I found myself, as always, fascinated by the process that creates an image, and wanting a peek into the story behind the portrait. In this case, I found examples of subjects sitting for an artist as the artist painted the …
Posted in: Photographs, Series: Profiling Portraits
Posted by: Kristi Finefield
Taking a portrait alongside your favorite feline is no easy task. Cats are notoriously (but delightfully) finicky about following directions, so getting one to sit still for a portrait can be a tall order. Despite that, our collections contain many examples of people posing with their cats – or at least attempting to do so! …
Posted in: Photographs, Series: Profiling Portraits
Posted by: Kristi Finefield
In this newest installment in the occasional series, Profiling Portraits, we take a look at the type of portraits taken when the subject wishes to avoid the camera! Few smiles appear, mostly scowls or attempts to hide. Just like in modern times, news photographers decades ago sought their subjects with dogged determination. The photos of …
Posted in: Photographs, Series: Profiling Portraits
Posted by: Kristi Finefield
In this latest entry in our occasional series, Profiling Portraits, I was inspired by an attempt to take a group photo during a recent family visit, as well as time spent looking through photo albums at previous years’ similar efforts. Family photos tend to evoke memories, elicit questions about older ancestors and of course provide …
Posted in: Photographs, Portraits, Series: Profiling Portraits
Posted by: Kristi Finefield
In the first entry in this occasional series, Profiling Portraits, we examined occupational portraits, a type of portrait designed to tell the viewer a specific fact about the sitter: their occupation. We will now look at another type of portrait, one which is very popular today, thanks to the advent of smartphones with cameras: self-portraits, …
Posted in: Drawings, Photographs, Portraits, Prints, Series: Profiling Portraits
Posted by: Kristi Finefield
The basic goal of a portrait is to capture the likeness of the subject. But a portrait can offer a lot more information than simply the shape of a face. As with all visual images, portraits lend themselves to further exploration. Why was the portrait made? What does it tell the viewer about the subject …
Posted in: Photographs, Portraits, Series: Profiling Portraits