An in-depth study of self-portrait evolution, the exhibition showcases the shadowy self depictions of Rembrandt, the provocative images of Robert Mapplethorpe, the brutally realistic photography of Sarah Lucas, the striking self imitations of Andy Warhol, the tense self-directed films of Marina Abramović and the characterful Instagram images by Ai Weiwei.

Comprising of five parts, each concisely grouping creator/subject relationships and patterns. One of which, ‘Up close and personal’ showcases intimate self reflecting works, birthed from the idea that the period of sophisticated self portraiture primarily stemmed from the renaissance (earlier in some cases) and considers the ancient Greek proverb “know thy self.” Perhaps this is a notion deeply ingrained into society, an incredibly humanistic act that fulfils our need for self-acknowledgement, self-expression and to build our own self-esteem, an act that is only in it’s infancy with our new found intellectual and technological progressions, where will it take us?

Facing the World | Self Portraits Rembrandt to Ai Weiwei runs from 16th July to 16th October at The Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Read Next