Twentieth Century and modern times
Perhaps because the cataclysmic events of the early and mid-twentieth century destroyed so many value systems, and blurred the difference between good and evil, this period seemed to take little interest in issue of the genres. It certainly ceased to accord special status to History Painting. Even so, the genre endured as a resource when artists wanted to demonstrate the gravity of their work. Examples of twentieth century History Painting include: States of Mind genre scenes by Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916); 'Guernica' with its juxtaposition of modern and traditional images, by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973).
Two factors, both arising in the twentieth century, have combined to spell the likely end of History Painting, First, there seems now to be very few subjects (aside from the Nativity of Christ) that can evoke an interested understanding in Western society. Second, the istoria or narrative which used to be the main component of traditional History Painting, is now almost universally delivered by film. Nearly all iconic moments or narratives from history and mythology are now conveyed by photographs or video film, rather than fine art. In the absence of a new Renaissance in painting, it is hard to see how the genre of History Painting can survive.
Portrait painting is a genre in painting the aim of which is to depict the visual appearance of the subject. Human, animals and pets can be chosen as the subject for a portrait.
Portrait is also expected to show the inner essence of the subject (from the artist's point of view).
There are some kinds of portrait such as “full length”, “half length”, “head and shoulders” (or bust) and “head” in profile, three quarter view and full face.
Creation of a portrait usually needs some sittings. Self-portraits are sometimes produced with the help of mirror.
First portraits come from ancient times, for example some portraits from Egypt, Greek and China survived. For example, the contemporaries of Alexander the Great began the practice of depicting his head in their coins. Many of Egypt portraits which remained are funeral portraits. In Rome sculpted portrait dominated.
The first oil portrait appeared in Burgundy, France, in the middle ages.
The Renaissance is the turning point in the history of portrait. Paintind reaches a new level of balance and harmony. In this time the portrait miniature appeared, inspired by ancient medallions. Nothern European artists started the realistic portraits. They used finerbruch strokes which is possible only in oil technique. Jan van Eyck was one of the artists who developed oil technique. The famous artists of that time are Giovanni Bellini and Antonio da Messina.
In Italy realism in portrait painting was extended by Filippo Lippi and Raphael.
One of best-known portraits in the Western world is Leonardo da Vinci's painting titled Mona Lisa.
During the Baroque and Rococo periods (17th and 18th centuries), portraits became important records of social status and position. Sir Anthony van Dyck, Rembrandt and Peter Paul Rubens executed this type of portraits. In Rococo big attention was paid to details in dress and texture.
Romantic artists who worked in the first half of the 19th century painted portraits of leaders and beautiful women using lively brush strokes sometimes moody lighting.
The 20th-century artists expanded the genre of portrait in new directions. The main artist are Pablo Picasso (primitivism), Otto Dix (expressionism), Robert Henry and Max Ernst (art-deco). And Isaak Brodsky, Nikolai Fechin in Russia.
