Portrait of the Artist

Description

The first publication to focus on self-portraits and other images of the artist from within the Royal Collection, Portrait of the Artist showcases self-portraits of world-renowned artists from Rembrandt to Hockney, and features images of artists by their friends, relatives and pupils, including the most reliable surviving likeness of Leonardo da Vinci by his student, Francesco Melzi. It examines a range of themes played out within these works, from the cult of the artist to the symbolism evoked through images of the artist's studio, and looks at the role of the monarch in commissioning, collecting and displaying portraits. Also explored is the changing status of the artist and how this is portrayed both in the physical works and in the relationship between artist and patron. This sumptuously illustrated book contains a fascinating array of paintings, works on paper, photographs and decorative arts by artists including Rubens, Gentileschi, Durer, Reynolds and Freud.

Anna Reynolds is Curator of Paintings, Royal Collection Trust. Lucy Peter is Assistant Curator of Paintings, Royal Collection Trust. Martin Clayton is Head of Prints and Drawings, Royal Collection Trust. All three authors have previously published on works from the Royal Collection Trust.

"Spanning six centuries, the works are worthy of royalty, to be sure. . . . [They] are infused with history--but they are also alive with personal details." -- "Globe and Mail" "Yes, you will be awestruck at how incredibly detailed these artworks are."-- "Daily Hive (Vancouver)" "In an age saturated with selfies, sometimes it feels good to put the iPhone down and leave it to the pros. Portrait of the Artist does just that, collecting images of artists from the vast British Royal Collection, which includes work by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, David Hockney, William Hogarth and more. Like many art books, Portrait of the Artist, out this week from the Royal Collection Trust . ., accompanies reproductions with historical context and analysis, which is particularly fun for works in conversation with one another."-- "Los Angeles Times"