1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as individual.
The self-portrait is all the more remarkable because it so closely resembles earlier representations of Christ. Art historians note the similarities with the conventions of religious painting, including its symmetry, dark tones and the manner in which the artist is shown raising his hands to the middle of his chest, as if in the pose of blessing. Why Dürer chose to portray himself like this is unknown, though it is likely that it was a combination of arrogance and a desire by a young and ambitious artist to acknowledge that his great talents were given to him by God.
2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.
Durer's introduction of classical motifs into Northern art, through his knowledge of Italian artists and German humanists, had secured his reputation as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance. This was reinforced by his theoretical works which involved principles of mathematics, perspective and ideal proportions.
3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.
Like Knob (1997) Gavin Turk explored issues of authorship and identity by making a number of works based on his own signature that comment on the value that the artist's name confers onto a work. He has also made a number of photographic and sculptural self-portraits that often involve some degree of disguise. One of his best-known sculptures, Pop (1993), is a life-size waxwork self-portrait in which he adopts the identity of Sid Vicious singing 'My Way' in the pose of Elvis Presley as depicted by Andy Warhol.
4. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism, self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.
This self portrait is dated 1498 and inscribed: "I have thus painted myself. I was 26 years old. Albrecht Durer." Since the artist turned 27 on the 21 May, the picture must date from the beginning of the year. The artist's pose is self confident, showing him standing upright and turning slightly to lean his right arm on a ledge.
The Germans still tended to consider the artist as a craftsman, as had been the conventional view during the Middle Ages. This was bitterly unacceptable to Durer, whose second Self-Portrait (out of three) shows him as slender and aristocratic, a haughty and foppish youth, ringletted and impassive. His stylish and expensive costume indicates, like the dramatic mountain view through the window (implying wider horizons), that he considers himself no mere limited provincial. What Durer insists on above all else is his dignity, and this was a quality that he allowed to others too.
This is Durer's first painted self portrait, dated 1493. It is the earliest known self portrait in European art produced as an independent painting (although earlier artists had sometimes portrayed themselves among figures in an altarpiece or fresco).
Durer inscribed at the top of the self portrait: "Things with me fare as ordained from above", a sign of his faith in God. His strong nose, heart-shaped upper lip and long neck are emphasized in the painting. Using a mirror, Durer obviously found it difficult to paint his hands and eyes, the two features which are always a challenge in a self portrait.
References:
1. Self-Portrait (Dürer, Munich), Bailey, Martin. Dürer. London: Phaidon Press, 1995. ISBN 0-7148-3334-7, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Portrait_(D%C3%BCrer,_Munich)#cite_note-B68-2
2. Renaissance, http://www.moodbook.com/history/renaissance/index.html
3. Gavin Turk, http://www.skny.com/artists/gavin-turk/
4. Self-Portrait at 26 (1498), http://www.moodbook.com/history/renaissance/durer-portraits.html#self-portrait-in-a-fur-collared-robe
