5 Things to Know About Celebrity Portraits

Think of the last time you heard someone tell a story. Did he or she exaggerate details in the narrative for a certain effect? In his 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware, above, German American artist Emanuel Leutze dramatizes real-life events. He depicts George Washington leading American troops across the Delaware River in 1776. Leutze painted large chunks of ice on the river, exaggerating their size. In reality, ice that big would have been unlikely to form on the Delaware. Leutze sensationalized the scene and created the work on a large scale to glorify Washington’s legacy.

Think of the last time someone told you a story. Did he or she exaggerate details in the narrative? German American artist Emanuel Leutze dramatizes real events in his 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware, above. Leutze shows George Washington leading soldiers across the Delaware River in 1776. Large ice chunks jut out of the river—but the ice wasn’t that big in real life. Leutze exaggerates the scene to draw attention to the dangerous mission and show the men’s bravery

Portraits don’t always have to be posed. In 1950, photographer Hans Namuth gave audiences a chance to see an artistic icon at work. In the mid-20th century, Jackson Pollock captivated viewers with his Abstract Expressionist art. His process of action painting was as mysterious as his nonrepresentational compositions. Then in a series of photographs, Namuth revealed Pollock’s secrets, showing the artist at work. After setting his canvas on the floor, Pollock moved around it, splattering and pouring paint onto the canvas. Notice areas where the image blurs with Pollock’s motion. Namuth had an eye for documenting the artist in action from behind his camera lens.

Portraits don’t have to be posed. In 1950, photographer Hans Namuth documented a famous artist at work. Jackson Pollock had become known for his chaotic, paint-splattered art. But his process, called action painting, was a mystery to the public. In a series of photos, Namuth revealed Pollock’s secrets. Instead of working at an easel, Pollock set his canvas on the floor. He moved around it, splattering and pouring paint onto the canvas. Do you notice how some parts of the photo are blurry? This shows that Pollock was in motion. 

Sometimes small details in a portrait can reveal a lot about the subject. In the 1949 self-portrait above, Frida Kahlo uses symbols to share her ideas about Diego Rivera. Both Mexican painters, Kahlo and Rivera had a tumultuous relationship. They married, divorced, and remarried. Kahlo titled the painting above Diego y yo, which is Spanish for “Diego and I.” She paints a miniature portrait of Rivera on her forehead, showing that he’s on her mind. She adds tears dripping from the corners of her eyes. How does Kahlo express her ideas about Rivera using these symbols?

Small details in a portrait can reveal a lot about the subjects. In her 1949 self-portrait above, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo shares her ideas about Diego Rivera, who was also a Mexican painter. They had a rocky relationship. Kahlo titled the work Diego y yo, which is Spanish for “Diego and I.” She uses symbols to express herself. She paints a portrait of Rivera on her forehead to show that he’s on her mind. She also adds tears falling from her eyes. 

You are what you eat. Something similar might be said about an artist: You are what you make. Herb Ritts was a prominent American fashion photographer in the 1980s and ’90s. For his 1989 photo above, Ritts captures English painter David Hockney. Hockney holds a portrait he painted so it hides his face. He stands in front of a wall of his portraits and a painting of water, one of his signature subjects. Ritts includes the paintings as attributes that people associate with Hockney. By covering Hockney’s face, Ritts suggests that Hockney is his work, and his work is him.

David Hockney is a famous English artist. American photographer Herb Ritts made the 1989 portrait of him above. Hockney hides his face behind a portrait he painted of someone else. More of his art is displayed behind him, including a painting of water, one of Hockney’s favorite subjects. Ritts uses the art as attributes, or things that people associate with Hockney. Many viewers probably recognize Hockney’s art more quickly than his face!