Look at the four different portraits and answer the questions below.
Sir Neil O’Neill (c.1658-90) by John Michael Wright (1617-94)
This portrait by John Michael Wright (1617-94) of Sir Neal O’Neill (c.1658-90) places as much importance on the clothing and trappings of rank as it does on any likeness of the sitter.
Copyright Philip Mould LtdCopyright Philip Mould Ltd
Sir Neil O’Neill (c.1658-90) by John Michael Wright (1617-94)
This portrait by John Michael Wright (1617-94) of Sir Neal O’Neill (c.1658-90) places as much importance on the clothing and trappings of rank as it does on any likeness of the sitter.
Copyright Philip Mould LtdStudy after Velázquez’s Portrait of Innocent X (1953) by Francis Bacon (1909-92)
Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Innocent X (1953) by Francis Bacon (1909-92) is one of the most expressive studies of character in visual art, suggesting a personality tortured by internal psychoses. Oil on canvas, 60 x 46 in. (153 x 118.1 cm) Des Moines Art Centre, Nathan Emory Coffin Collection © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved / DACS, London 2009.
© The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved / DACS, London 2009© The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved / DACS, London 2009
Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Innocent X (1953) by Francis Bacon (1909-92)
Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Innocent X (1953) by Francis Bacon (1909-92) is one of the most expressive studies of character in visual art, suggesting a personality tortured by internal psychoses. Oil on canvas, 60 x 46 in. (153 x 118.1 cm) Des Moines Art Centre, Nathan Emory Coffin Collection © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved / DACS, London 2009.
© The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved / DACS, London 2009Lady Lavery as Kathleen Ní Houlihan (1928) by John Lavery (1856-1941)
Lady Lavery as Kathleen Ní Houlihan (1928) by John Lavery (1856-1941) is an engraving of the painting which appeared on Irish banknotes for fifty years, until 1977. Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Collection. Photographer: Roy Hewson
© Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Photo © The National Gallery of Ireland© Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Photo © The National Gallery of Ireland
Lady Lavery as Kathleen Ní Houlihan (1928) by John Lavery (1856-1941)
Lady Lavery as Kathleen Ní Houlihan (1928) by John Lavery (1856-1941) is an engraving of the painting which appeared on Irish banknotes for fifty years, until 1977. Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Collection. Photographer: Roy Hewson
© Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Photo © The National Gallery of IrelandPortrait of Marcel Duchamp (1966) by Brian O’Doherty/Patrick Ireland (b.1928)
Portrait of Marcel Duchamp (1966) by Brian O’Doherty/Patrick Ireland (b.1928) incorporates the graphic output of an electrocardiogram of Marcel Duchamp’s heartbeat.
Courtesy the ArtistCourtesy the Artist
Portrait of Marcel Duchamp (1966) by Brian O’Doherty/Patrick Ireland (b.1928)
Portrait of Marcel Duchamp (1966) by Brian O’Doherty/Patrick Ireland (b.1928) incorporates the graphic output of an electrocardiogram of Marcel Duchamp’s heartbeat.
Courtesy the Artist- Describe what you see in the portraits.
- What stands out most in each portrait?
- Can you tell how the people lived? How did you come to that idea?
- Can you tell what the people in the portraits were like? If so, how?
- What colours and shades of colour do you see in the portraits?
- Where is most of the light shining in the portraits?
- What do you like/dislike about them?
- What differences do you see between the portraits?
- How are these portraits different from real life?
- Which one is your favourite? Why?