Beyond the Face

Explores new approaches to portraying identity and the human face and figure, through works from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's collections and other institutions.

Is there more to portraiture than eyes meeting eyes? Beyond the Face: New Perspectives on Portraiture presents sixteen essays by leading scholars who explore the subtle means by which artists - and subjects - convey a sense of identity and reveal historical context. Examining a wide range of topics, from early caricature and political vandalism of portraits to contemporary selfies and performance art, these studies challenge our traditional assumptions about portraiture. By probing the diversity and complexity of portrayal, Beyond the Face fills a gap in current scholarship and offers a resource for teaching art history, subjectivity, and the construction of identity.

Book Features:

• A general guide to the portraiture genre.
• Introduces the reader to fresh methodologies and modern studies.
• Explores new approaches to portraying the human face and figure.

132 colour images

About the Author

Wendy Wick Reaves is senior curator of prints and drawings, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.