Similar Portraits? (Updated)

Two Portraits: Juan de Pareja & Self-Portrait


Art often has a grand purpose for its creation, to tell a story; in some cases more than others, a story is hard to come by, or, understand. Except in these two paintings: "Juan de Pareja"- Diego Rodrigues and "Self-Portrait"- Judith Leyster; have multiple things in common. As most paintings and art, are all similar in one way or another; these two are more similar than you think. If you know the reason they were created.

(Diego Rodriguez, Juan de Pareja, 1650, The Met Fifth Avenue) 


This first painting is from the Baroque, but the one in Spain. This is an oil painting by the artist Diego Rodriguez, called Juan de Pareja from 1650 which is now housed in The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 617. When this painting was first introduced it was said to have, "received such universal acclaim that in the opinion of all the painters of different nations everything else seemed like painting but this alone like truth." This shows the artist Diego Rodrigues's slave Juan de Pareja. In this painting, we see Juan is sitting with his back straight, with a confident look in his eyes. That is what sets this painting apart from others as if this had never been done before, which is very interesting. The reason, this painting was seen though a different perspective than other art; was probably because this painting shows a happy slave. Rather than a sorrowful and repressed painting, that shows a forced smile. Although this one shows a confident slave and it doesn't look as if it was a forced smile at all. 

In a way that is similar to the next painting called, Self-Portrait by Judith Leyster  that shows her in the middle of her paindint a painting in a painting.     



(Judith Leyster, Self-Portrait, c. 1633, National Gallary of Art, Washington DC) 

In this oil painting it shows a self-portrait created by the artist Judith Leyster, of herself; which is now in the National Gallary of Art in Washington DC. This painting was from the baroque period; although it's from a different Baroque you might be thinking about. This is from the Northern Baroque. During this time Judith Leyster was part of an artist guild; to sell and trade her artwork. Such as this painting and others she created. 

In this painting, it looks she was interrupted, while in the middle of a painting. The detail in this piece is what makes it interesting, as it shows her painting a painting within a painting. But other details such as her clothing shows how he felt about her artwork. By making herself look confident, but also showing she is great at creating portraits, and other genres, that is all shown in this single self-portrait. 


Looking at these two amazing paintings after we know why they created, there are a few similarities between them. The first similarity is they are both oil paintings, the next one is their both from different Baroque periods. The most important silimarity is they both show people being proud of themselves. Aswell as bring something new to the table though the story they are each showing. That is what makes these to painting great.

 


Sources:

Metmuseum.org. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437869> [Accessed 1 February 2021].

Smarthistory.org. 2021. Judith Leyster, Self-Portrait – Smarthistory. [online] Available at: <https://smarthistory.org/judith-leyster-self-portrait/> [Accessed 1 February 2021].

Comments

  1. Jake GarciaFebruary 3, 2021 at 2:51 PM

    Overall, I loved your take on describing the similarities between the two and what it meant for the time. I agree these two works of art depict a scene of strength and show something new than what many people were used to seeing within artwork during the Baroque period. The only question I have is why was sitting up straight an important characteristic to Velazquez's portrait? Other than that I think you did a great job in this, I am not at all good at explaining artwork that isn't mine lol.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Grace in the EyeFebruary 3, 2021 at 10:55 PM

    I think you did a wonderful job comparing the similarities of these two paintings. Even though they were both going through their own struggles they still wanted to appear confident and strong which is truly amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kaitlin beanFebruary 5, 2021 at 10:14 AM

    I think you picked out the similarities in these two portraits really well. Picking out that they both appear confident is a very interesting observation of these two paintings since it plays on emotion and feelings rather than what you can physically see.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Xaiyne Calma-ViloriaFebruary 10, 2021 at 2:40 PM

    You did a good job at describing each piece individually. It gave me context I did not before have. It’s interesting to me how the most interesting part of Diego Rodriguez’s painting is considered to be the posture and confidence in Juan de Pareja’s eyes for a few reasons, most pertaining to the stigma revolving slavery, especially in 17th century Europe.

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