As any good portrait artist knows, a mouth full of teeth showing a big smile is not the ideal look for a portrait. At least not according to tradition. Portrait painting in the time of Rembrandt or even as long ago as DaVinci, (the Mona Lisa) was considered a vehicle by which to show off the character, the dignity and the social position of the sitter. The portrait was even a very well respected art form. Much more so than it is today. The most famous portrait, Ms. Mona herself, had but the smallest hint of a smile on her lips, but the eyes, they said it all. The real smile came from those dark orbs, that penetrating gaze that is still shrouded in mystery as to what she is thinking. Rembrandt's self portraits, the perfect painting by which an artist can paint themselves however they wish with no one to argue or reject the outcome, every single one that I have seen, are all expressions of deep thought, quizzical or mischievous, non-smiling but with a sparkle in the eyes and a crinkle in the crow's feet that convey an all knowing smile radiating from within. The expressions on these classic portraits are by far more compelling and give the viewer much more to contemplate than a candid snapshot with a broad silly grin. It seems apparent that a big smile just does not convey a mood suitable to a portrait that would be considered High Art.
There have been times that I have been asked to paint a subject, especially a child with a big smile on his or her face and the parent will not be persuaded to go for something with more composure. I do wonder why that is since most parents dream about their children being well behaved and composed little angels. I think it must be that we are so conditioned as a society that has grown up with Kodak, Polaroid and most recently digital imaging, that if you are not smiling there must be something wrong with you. So to please the client I have acquiesced outwardly but remained troubled inside. They were ultimately not my best work. There were however some exceptions, two very different examples I have shown above.
A few images of what I consider my best portraiture so far, I have included one with a pensive, almost angelic, dream like gaze and another with a very charming, electric smile. The boy with the angelic gaze I painted from a series of photos I took of him. The mother of course liked the one with the obvious smile. I loved the one with a more pensive gaze and just a hint of smile in his eyes only. But for this portrait I chose to meet somewhere in the middle. The result is a very pleasant, dreamy portrait of a young boy that I am very happy with and his family is ecstatic over. I would call that a "win, win". The second portrait of the very beautiful yet very mature woman in her 50's is one that I would consider a "lucky strike". I took photos of her and asked her not to smile but to project a feeling toward me of confidence and the feeling of being alive. In the last few shots I told her to go ahead and smile, I would give her a photo print of the best one for her coffee table. To my surprise when I got home and began editing the images, something disturbing kept emerging in the photos of her where she wasn't smiling. I saw deep depression and despair in her eyes and a rapid aging in the rest of her face. But the smiling photos were alive and magnetic, the charming dimples plumping out her cheeks with a youthful glow. And the teeth, well they were stunning of course. So how could I not paint them in all of their bright, white glory? I ended up loving this portrait and she, well now she has something to remind herself everyday of how absolutely gorgeous she is when she smiles. That one experience alone showed me that Yes there are absolutely times when a smile can light up a painted portrait and is very appropriately used here.
I read a commentary recently, written by John Howard Sanden, one of the most respected traditional portrait artist working today and pulled a few sentences from it that points out the most popular way of thinking about traditional portraiture by traditional portrait artists. "The only thing that one can say is that everyone concerned, when the issue comes up, must realize the simple fact that the standards for candid photography and the standards for historic, traditional portraiture are different. These are different art forms, with different standards." ~J.H. Sanden
If you would like to read the entire commentary by Sanden, click on the Headline above of this blog, "To Smile or not to Smile..." He has much more to say than I have here with some very different view points and more images of portraits to make the case in point. I would be interested to know if you would regard what Sanden has to say above my own experience or vice versa. Please leave your comment either way.
The photos above can be enlarged to view details by clicking on them. Thanks. ~K. Donatelli
5 comments:
It is amazing that more people don't smile. I like when the subject looks real...my friend you always seem to capture the inner light of all your subjects. I love her smile and she certainly shows us how comfortable she is. I have always said, portrait painters are born..maybe tweaked in a few areas of light and showdow, but off you go. You have this talent..high art ...no your art, it's high art...not the emperors new clothes. We really see what you paint..not told some blob on canvas is a woman smiling.
Thanks for your advice. It is received and stored for future reference. That all said....Happy New Year. Visit Studio 21.. Studio and artisan co-op attached.
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Susan
I know so little about art, Kathie. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I think your photos and paintings of moi would have been disastrous if I had been told to "Smile!" It's funny, the portrait of the woman is one of your finest, and the smile made it! For me, I am (secretly) quite shy and demure, really! In real life I come across as ebullient, irreverent, funny...even the life of the party. But, the real Kris is...just kind of scholarly and bookish, since I was a young girl. In your portraits, which are stunning, I have my Mona Lisa sort of smile, or none at all. I see a bit of attitude, a tad of irreverence for the world, and also some rebellion and defiance - in my eyes! Also, in the B/W photos I see the pure joy and ebullience, in a few an otherworldliness - in my eyes! My mouth can look very proper, sarcastic, can show derision, and definitely defiance mixed with ebullience. I am so glad I did not smile. I don't remember it ever coming up, actually. You already knew me, I guess. Ha! See how good you are. I don't look good, to me, when I smile. My face becomes round, creased, and my eyes disappear into my face - it always has - since I was a child. A big, toothy grin is just NOT me, anyway. One last note: Women are expected to smile. This pleases men. I am down to earth enough to not even mind that. It's just the truth. But, to be pressed upon to smile? Kris doesn't think so. Get ready for a big, defiant, demure kick in the ****. LOL. I love you, brilliance-machine. All the best, Kris
Ginny, I just remembered your family portrait that I painted a few years ago and took a fresh new look at the photo of it on my website. Every one is smiling and it definitely endears one to the portrait because it is a family event. It is so warm and inviting. I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you for so proudly displaying it in your home.
Kathie, thanks for sharing part of your genius process. In the self portraits I have of you--drawn from looking into a mirror--they are deep, some of your finest work, showing your phases through life and art, a maturing self-concept, an unresting scrutiny of humanity, and a determination always evident. I love it when you paint two sides of a face differently--because that's how we are all made--but I know most people need a little vanity in their portraits-for example, when you painted me (live) you made me better looking than I am, or else I sure have lost "it". . . just kidding. What you captured, posing me behind that Isozake chair, as for the first time since age 14, at 34, I was unemployed, and did not know what was next, around that corner. I felt myself brazen wearing the leotard, but you made it demure--which is what I really was. Hilarious--your vision extends far into and beyond a person's persona. I dream of the day--near--when people will be honored to have you paint them just the way you see them. . .you know I always like your "live renderings best, because the scale is more imperfect, moreso tat using the camera, though it is true you are a great photographer and can coach a person or chid into getting what you need from them--then, when we ask for, honor, allow your imagination to paint as you see--THEN all is the way it should and shall be.
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