A Brief History of Painted Portraits
Portrait painting truly came into its own during the Renaissance. Artists like Jan van Eyck and Titian elevated the genre, using oil paints to achieve realism and depth that went far beyond a simple likeness. Portraits told stories of status, personality, and sometimes even secret meanings hidden in objects or gestures.
Jan van Eyck. Portrait of a Man (1433)
A memorable example involves Isabella d’Este, one of the most influential women of the Renaissance. She was so particular about her portraits that she once rejected a painting because the artist had made her hands appear too small. It’s a small detail, but it shows how carefully patrons considered how they were represented and how portraits were as much about perception as appearance.
Titian. Portrait of Isabella d’Este (1534–1536)
Rembrandt, in the Baroque era, explored the sitter’s inner life in ways that had never been attempted before. His Self-Portrait with Two Circles (1665–1669) is layered with subtle meaning; some art historians believe the circles reference the pursuit of perfection or the challenges an artist faces. Each painting, even centuries later, invites the viewer to look closer, to notice nuances and emotion.
Rembrandt. Self-Portrait with Two Circles (1665–1669)
In the 18th century, Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy (1770) caused a stir when his rival Sir Joshua Reynolds criticized the use of color. Today, it is celebrated for exactly the same reason: bold choices and a striking expression of personality.
Thomas Gainsborough. The Blue Boy (1770)
And then there’s John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of Madame X (1884), which scandalized viewers with its daring pose and shadowed elegance. Photographs could capture her appearance, but only Sargent’s brush conveyed her poise and audacity simultaneously.
John Singer Sargent. Portrait of Madame X (1884)
Where Photography Fits In
Photography arrived in the 19th century and forever changed how we capture likenesses. The first permanent photograph, View from the Window at Le Gras by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826, required hours of exposure and produced a grainy image of his surroundings. It was revolutionary, yet it highlighted photography’s limitations: a mechanical capture could never fully convey personality, mood, or presence.
The original plate, showing rooftops visible from a second-story bedroom window and Gernsheim's enhanced version
Even as cameras improved, people continued to commission painted portraits. A photograph can capture a moment, but a painting captures presence, character, and the subtleties that make a sitter truly alive. Portraits became a dialogue between artist and subject, a conversation carried on the brush that photographs simply cannot replicate.
Why Commission a Painted Portrait Today
Commissioning a painted portrait remains a deeply personal act. It can honor a loved one, mark a milestone, or preserve a memory that photographs alone cannot fully convey. Each brushstroke carries thought, attention, and quiet observation, making every portrait unique.
For me, the process is as important as the finished work. I look for small gestures, fleeting expressions, and moments of presence that can only emerge over time. These are the details that bring a painting to life, creating a piece that grows richer with time and becomes a treasured heritage.
The Living Tradition of Portraiture
Even today, I paint in oil on fine Italian linen, following techniques that have been passed down through centuries by the old masters. Each layer of paint is applied deliberately, with patience and care, as if the act itself is part of the story. This slower, thoughtful approach allows a connection to develop between the hand, the eye, and the subject, something mechanical reproduction can never achieve.
Painting is, for me, a personal dialogue with history. I feel the weight and joy of tradition with every brushstroke, centuries of artists translating life into paint. Each portrait becomes more than an image; it carries presence, memory, and care. It is my way of participating in a living tradition, creating something that may be cherished by families for generations.