Narcissus - The Evolution of Self-portraits in Image Times

摘要

Self-portraits derive from portraiture. Initially, artists painted self-portraits to prove their identities; then, they used these paintings to show their unique personalities and life experiences. The psychological foundations of self-portraits are human's self-consciousness and their eternal pursuit of self-actualization. In Image Times, the popular and convenient image technology changes people's viewing patterns and the expressive forms of self-portraits. In Image Times, artists choose different ways to create self-portraits. Some artists, like Lucian Freud, still use mirrors to draw self-portraits; some artists such as Xiao-dong Liu use photos instead of mirrors; painters include Li-jun Fang and Min-jun Yue create hidden self-portraits; artists like Cindy Sherman and Nan Goldin directly use photography techniques; meanwhile, as the new form of self-portrait, selfies in social networks become popular carnival.