Crafting Character

Hans Holbein the Younger was born into a family of artists in Germany at the end of the 15th century. He honed his technique, learning to paint extremely realistic portraits. This skill served him well in the era before photography.

In his 1532 The Merchant Georg Gisze, above, Holbein paints his subject with great precision and detail. He emphasizes the merchant’s fancy clothing and includes objects that reflect Gisze’s wealth, education, and social standing. Holbein knew that to be successful, he had to make paintings like this that flattered his subjects so they’d tell their wealthy and influential friends about him. This approach helped the artist achieve fame and fortune.

Hans Holbein the Younger was born in Germany in the late 15th century. He learned to paint extremely realistic portraits. This was before photography was invented. Many people appreciated Holbein’s portrait skills.

In his 1532 The Merchant Georg Gisze, above, Holbein paints his subject with great detail. He draws attention to the man’s fancy clothing and includes objects that show his wealth and education. Holbein flattered his subjects in his paintings. He wanted people to tell their wealthy friends about him. This helped him achieve fame and fortune.

Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani (ah-me-DAY-oh moh-deel-YAH-nee), born in 1884, painted peculiar portraits. He exaggerates his subjects’ features, giving them long necks, narrow faces, drooping shoulders, and vacant eyes. In his 1917 Blue Eyes, above, Modigliani paints the subject in his unusual style, emphasizing her bright blue eyes.

Modigliani’s visual voice was unlike anything people had seen before. When the artist was alive, many critics said his paintings were strange and insignificant. Today historians marvel at his originality and call him one of the most important figurative painters of the 20th century.

Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani (ah-meh-DAY-oh moh-deel-YAH-nee), born in 1884, painted unusual portraits. He exaggerates his subjects’ features, giving them long necks, narrow faces, and blank eyes. How would you describe his 1917 painting Blue Eyes, above?

People hadn’t seen anything like this before. But today experts say Modigliani is one of the most important painters of the human figure from the 20th century.

“For me, people come first,” 20th-century American artist Alice Neel once explained. “I have tried to assert the dignity and eternal importance of the human being.” At a time when her peers were exploring abstraction, Neel made paintings of the inhabitants of New York City.

Neel uses energetic brushstrokes and bold outlines, capturing an impression. In works like her 1964 Kristen Walker, above, the artist deftly renders her subject’s body language and facial expression. As you look at Walker’s fashionable dress and hairstyle, ask yourself: What is Neel saying about the subject?

“For me, people come first,” 20th-century American artist Alice Neel once said. Neel painted portraits of people living in New York City, like in her 1964 Kristen Walker, above.

Neel uses energetic brushstrokes and bold outlines to capture her subjects. She skillfully paints the woman’s pose and facial expression. Notice the stylish dress and hairstyle. What is the artist saying about the subject?