domains: fine arts, social sciences all self-portraits: rembrandt van rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

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The Selfie: an ancient and highly respected art form; a mirror of the soul. This semester, each of you will lead a brief, interactive class discussion of respected artists’ self-portraits, focusing on facets of the artists inner self made visible. Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628 ? 1630 1635 165 7 1634

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Page 1: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

The Selfie: an ancient and highly respected art form;

a mirror of the soul. This semester, each of you will lead a brief, interactive class discussion of

respected artists’ self-portraits, focusing on facets of the artists inner self made

visible.

Domains: Fine Arts, Social SciencesAll self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn

1628?

1630

16351657

1634

Page 2: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Why are we doing this in INT 101?This assignment satisfies the following objectives:*sharpening analytical skills*refining communication skills (oral and written) *exploring the self in relation to its surroundings*becoming better informed Social Science/Fine Arts audiences*harnessing appropriate types of evidence commonly used in making intellectual judgments*using diction appropriate to one’s audience and purpose*being an active part of a college-level seminar

Page 3: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Required Steps:1. Sign up for your day and be prepared on

that day.2. Find two selfies by an artist whose work

you enjoy, or compare two artists’ selfies; use a site with quality reproductions: plan to display the image(s).

3. Research the artist’s (or artists’) background and reputation; these factors should add interest to your presentation.

4. Choose a selfie that reflects the artist’s inner state of mind, preferences or priorities. Analyze how the artist presents this inner self. Be prepared to identify strategies used and support your logic; your presentation notes will be graded.

Page 4: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

5. Plan questions and/or activities that will engage

your peers in the analysis process. Power Point, handouts, ballots or any effective methods may be used; plan for assured participation by as many peers as possible.6. Maximum time limit is five minutes;

minimum time is three. There will be a timer used, as well as a grading rubric, discussed in advance. 7. Aim to promote thought, guide analysis,

inform and perhaps entertain.8. As you plan, remember that we are

following visual clues in an effort to discover the invisible inner self: take the class along on your informed analysis of the artist’s self-presentation.

Page 5: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Sample Art Analysis Factors (your tool kit):1. Medium (charcoal, oil, tempera, water color, pencil, etc.): does a pencil sketch present the same personality traits as an oil portrait? A sketch may capture a strong emotion or a fleeting state of mind especially well. It may indicate an experimental, playfully creative mind, or a changeable mind. It may also suggest relaxed informality: this person may not take him/her self too seriously. What inner traits might these Rembrandtpencil selfies show?

Page 6: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Medium (continued): An oil self-portrait may indicate a more formal, traditional presentation, or a person who wishes to show personal authority, power or prestige to the world. How might Rembrandtproject personal prestigein this portrait? Remember: he is thesame person as in thesketches, but he choosesto present himselfdifferently here. How?Why?

Page 7: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Medium (continued):Consider all parts of the picture in making your judgment: analysis factors are not rules. In this contested Rembrandt selfie, he uses oil to apparently show a light-hearted side of himself. Art scholars argue about this portrait: some feel it shows Rembrandt playing a character; a few believe it is not a Rembrandt at all. Research on an artist and his/her work can unearth interesting controversies. Remember also that many artists tend to be rule breakers who deliberately go against expectations and traditions. Use informed, logical judgement.

Page 8: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

2. Color Palette: is the color palette bright and energetic, somber and reflective, or somewhere in between? Imagine that you can choose a color palette to present your inner self today. What palette would you choose? What would it show?

Keith Haring, 1985Andrew Salgado, 2010

Page 9: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

3. Placement/size of the selfie on the canvas: is the artist front and center, or in a less dominant position? What might this choice says about the inner self? 4. Angle/scope of the selfie: full face or not? What, if any, parts of the body are revealed? Why might active hands, for instance, be revealed? 5. Details shown: “Warts and all”? Soft focus? Realistic, stylized or abstracted?

Weegee, 1950

Man Ray, 1932

Will Ronis, 1951

Page 10: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Practice: What might each of these Rembrandt selfies say about his presentation of his inner self at that point in his life? Consider medium, palette, placement, scope and detail.

1630, 24years old

1665 , 59 years old

Page 11: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

6. Clothing: Does the artist’s clothing suggest a sense of formality? Creativity? Energy? Tradition? Clothing often indicates much about the inner self’s state on the day the selfie is designed.7. Surroundings: Is the artist just a part of a larger scene? If so, what might that composition suggest?

Jan Vermeer, 1640?

Nora Heysen, 1932

Page 12: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

8. Facial expression/bodily action: These are obvious indicators of an inner self’s dominant facet.9. Abstraction or distortion: Some artists do not even depict themselves as human; obviously a statement is made through such choices.10. Other factors may also enter into your analysis.

Andy Warhol, 1966

Frida Kahlo, 1940

Do you knowtheir life stories?

Page 13: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Francis Bacon, 1971

Nikos Gyfaktis, 2005

Practice: consider medium, palette, placement, distortion, expression, scope, line quality.

Page 14: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Chuck Close, 2002

Practice: consider palette, placement, distortion, expression. The artist’s life story may be a factor, too.

Page 15: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Marc Chagall, 1912

Practice: Consider place-ment, palette, surroundings, angle, scope, bodily actions, distortion.

Page 16: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Sugar Harris, 2006

Practice: What factors do you consider most important in this selfie? What do these factors combine to say about her presentation of her inner self?

Page 17: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Stay tuned for the upcoming sign-up sheet and grading rubric, as well as sample presentations/ written plans developed by your instructor and preceptors.

Plan for success by planning ahead. This presentation will count as a part of your

participation/informal writing grades. The notes you submit need not be in complete sentences; a bulleted list may better suit your purpose as you present. Notes should be typed, however, and should reflect as many of the ten analysis factors as possible, as well as your logical judgment used in reaching conclusions. Audience participation activities should be listed on your notes as well.

Much can be learned through this exploration of the Fine Art and Social Science behind the selfie: enjoy!

Page 18: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Recognize anyone?

Page 19: Domains: Fine Arts, Social Sciences All self-portraits: Rembrandt van Rijn 1628?1630 1635 1657 1634

Additional Reading

Bell, Julian, ed. Five Hundred Self-Portraits. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 2000. Print.

de Magalhaes, Roberto Carvalho. Western Painting from Prehistory to Post-Impressionism. Florence, Italy: McRae Books, 2004. Print.

Elsen, Albert E. Purposes of Art. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1972. Print.