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Portraits are photographs, sculptures, paintings or any artistic representation in which the person's expression and face is predominant. Portraits display the intensity of the personality, likeness and the current mood of the person. A self-portrait is achieved when the artist creates or captures a portrait of her or himself. Some unidentified samples were believed to be during the middle Ages.

Portraits are photographs, sculptures, paintings or any artistic representation in which the person's expression and face is predominant. Portraits display the intensity of the personality, likeness and the current mood of the person. Photography is not generally a snapshot. Rather, it is a composed image of someone in stillness or in a kind of still position.

Portraits almost, if not always, show the person that is looking directly at the photographer or painter. The reason why the subjects are often looking at the direction of the artists is to be able to engage the person or the so-called subject to the viewer or the audience successfully.

The earliest portraits recorded in history were *funeral portraits* and not the self-portraits of emperors and kings. The paintings came from Egypt and were the only paintings that survived from the Roman period aside from the frescos. The art of creating a portrait flourished during the time when the Romans started sculpting.

The sitters demanded for realistic portraits and even unflattering sculptures. In the 14th century, portraits had a draw back in favor of the idolized symbol of what the person would look like. True portraits with the superficial appearance of individual persons made a come back during the middle Ages in Europe, particularly in France and Burgundy.

One of the most famous and the best-known portrait in the world is the *Mona Lisa* by Leonardo da Vinci. The Mona Lisa is a painting or a portrait of an unknown woman. The man thing that brought intrigue to her portrait, is the way she smiles, grins or if she's smiling at all. Studies show that she is a pregnant woman at that time. This is due to the wardrobe she's wearing, which is indicated as a type of maternity dress before. Thus, these are still speculations that are yet to be proven.

Moreover, a local named Gerard Jourdy found the oldest known self-portrait in the year 2006. The portrait was found along Vilhonneur grotto near the Angoulene. The portrait is thought to be around 27 thousand years old.

Self-Portraits

A self-portrait is achieved when the artist creates or captures a portrait of her or himself. Some unidentified samples were believed to be during the middle Ages.

The portrait photography is a famous worldwide commercial industry. Many people are happy to have *professionally-made* family portraits in order to hang them inside their homes. This kind of photography is also intended for special occasions such as weddings, graduations and other certain events.

Hence, people had already created portraits even before photography was ever invented. In fact, the so-called *daguerrerotype* was popular during the 19th century because of the large demand for cheap portraiture. Several studios opened throughout the world in order to cater to the growing population and demand for such portraits and photographs. Thus, photographic techniques eventually developed throughout the passing years.

Portrait Painting

A portrait painting is a variety in painting. The painting's intensity is to depict the appearance of a subject that can be a person or a thing. The inner essence of a subject is released when the artist executed the portrait very well. Thus, this is only about the physical likeness.

The Principles of Painting Portraits

Portraits are being painted for many various reasons. Most of the reasons are listed below.

* Painted portraits were created in order to preserve the individuality of somebody for the upcoming generations, particularly before the beginning of cinematography or photography.

* Portraits were created so as to recreate, in a modern setting, the customs of conventional portraiture.

* In order to extend or develop the essential painting skills.

* The artists create a faithful remembrance of somebody now absent or dead, as a type of souvenir.

* Portrait painting is done in order to make a written record of the artist's reply to the living existence of the person.

* Portrait painting is done in order to achieve a resemblance of the sitter's facial appearance.

* Painted portraits are made in order to represent the necessary nobility or dignity of the subject.

* Portrait painting is done so as to explore the character or innermost qualities of the sitter and for psychological purposes.

* Portrait painting is done in order to establish a community image. This is by highlighting the sitter's condition, stylish looks, or individual behavior.