Vanitas Portrait
Title
Vanitas Portrait
Subject
Adventurer
Description
Vanitas portraits have been around since the Renaissance and selfies have surfaced primarily in the 21st Century, but what would the two genres combined (a vanitas-selfie) entail? The image would need to exemplify a person or an object of much value in a carefully thought-out surrounding with some key factors of the modern selfie. The vanitas side would generally have much more depth in choice of objects and in their representations and interpretations while the selfie touch would encompass new techniques in photography and modern poses (F, Meaghan). The portrait I have created is a homogeneous mixture of the two genres while including the main individual aspects.
Although my creation leans more toward vanitas portraits, it does not lack the selfie touch. The lighting is key in selfies, and there are four different light sources being used aside from darkness to create the scene; a bike lamp, a head lamp, a flashlight, and the light-up globe. The scene has been carefully set up in a stereotypical spot; my room. People in selfies will hold objects that they wish to share or show off, therefore the objects included (from the fifty year old chest on the ground to the 21st Century hats dangling from pushpins) are items I have a connection to. One can generally see the face or the profile of the person in the picture, and although you can’t directly see the man’s face in the picture, you can see the profile of the shade being cast. Teenagers in selfies also tend to hold objects in their mouths when taking photographs, and in this the man is holding his travel notebook in his mouth (Finastride).
Taking a step back, let’s identify the objects that make the portrait into a vanitas. The constellation globe on the old chest, the train made up of scraps above the vintage map on the wall, the dangling hats on the wooden banner all add to the story of the adventurer outfitted in a top hat with steampunk goggles, a pencil in ear, and a notebook in mouth. The way he points from one spot to another helps develop the idea of travel. The way the train above is highlighted towards to front pushes forth as though it’s in motion (a clock is embedded within). To dwell further into deeper meanings, the shadow of the man represents the evil within that follows him everywhere; no matter how far he travels. It’s almost as though the globe radiating red is this demon’s home and the hand pointing to it is black whereas the hand pointing to the normal map of earth is well-lit and has color. The last hat in line (as directed by the train) is not hanging up but rather is being worn my both the man and the demon, and the hat-shaped shadow portion on the wall lines up with the rest of the hats. This can symbolize either the end of the life line or even the start of the final adventure.
Works Cited
F., Meaghan. "How to Take Good Selfies." Snapguide. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
"Finastride." How-to Selfies the Right Way. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
Although my creation leans more toward vanitas portraits, it does not lack the selfie touch. The lighting is key in selfies, and there are four different light sources being used aside from darkness to create the scene; a bike lamp, a head lamp, a flashlight, and the light-up globe. The scene has been carefully set up in a stereotypical spot; my room. People in selfies will hold objects that they wish to share or show off, therefore the objects included (from the fifty year old chest on the ground to the 21st Century hats dangling from pushpins) are items I have a connection to. One can generally see the face or the profile of the person in the picture, and although you can’t directly see the man’s face in the picture, you can see the profile of the shade being cast. Teenagers in selfies also tend to hold objects in their mouths when taking photographs, and in this the man is holding his travel notebook in his mouth (Finastride).
Taking a step back, let’s identify the objects that make the portrait into a vanitas. The constellation globe on the old chest, the train made up of scraps above the vintage map on the wall, the dangling hats on the wooden banner all add to the story of the adventurer outfitted in a top hat with steampunk goggles, a pencil in ear, and a notebook in mouth. The way he points from one spot to another helps develop the idea of travel. The way the train above is highlighted towards to front pushes forth as though it’s in motion (a clock is embedded within). To dwell further into deeper meanings, the shadow of the man represents the evil within that follows him everywhere; no matter how far he travels. It’s almost as though the globe radiating red is this demon’s home and the hand pointing to it is black whereas the hand pointing to the normal map of earth is well-lit and has color. The last hat in line (as directed by the train) is not hanging up but rather is being worn my both the man and the demon, and the hat-shaped shadow portion on the wall lines up with the rest of the hats. This can symbolize either the end of the life line or even the start of the final adventure.
Works Cited
F., Meaghan. "How to Take Good Selfies." Snapguide. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
"Finastride." How-to Selfies the Right Way. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
Creator
Sena Oran
Files
