500 Self-Portraits [Paperback]

Julian Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

A new version of a Phaidon classic published in 1937, this evocative and fascinating book, now issued as a paperback, presents 500 of the world's greatest self-portraits, arranged in a simple chronological sequence from ancient times to the late twentieth century. 'The mirror, above all - the mirror is our teacher,' wrote Leonardo da Vinci. Portraits are an endless source of fascination, responding as they do to the basic human impulse to look at faces and try to see into the character behind them. Self-portraits have the added fascination that comes from looking into the mirror and trying to study one's own face. Taking its inspiration from the classic Phaidon volume published in 1937 with the same title, this book presents an uninterrupted sequence of 500 self-portraits, in chronological order from ancient Egypt to the late twentieth century. The challenge of creating their own likeness has proved irresistible to artists, and included here are powerful and evocative works by many of the world's greatest painters and sculptors, including Durer, Rembrandt, Picasso and Andy Warhol. Each image is both a work of art and a study in psychology and self-perception.. Presented without commentary, these works speak for themselves - a compelling collection for every student of art and human nature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julian Bell is a painter and writer. As a painter he has executed a wide variety of commissions and he exhibits frequently in London. He is the author of Bonnard (1994) and What is Painting? Representation and Modern Art. (1999), and he is a regular contributor to the Times Literary Supplement, Modern Painters and the Guardian.

Product Details

• Paperback: 548 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; Reprint edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714843849
• ISBN-13: 978-0714843841
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Portraits

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good collection, December 3, 2006

By 

Brian Asquith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 500 Self-Portraits (Paperback)

An interesting collection of self portraits commencing with Ni-Ankh-Ptah (c. 2350 BC) through to Maurizio Cattelan (1997). The selction provides an interesting chronology of how portraiture has changed over the years. I'm uncertain as to which edition the previous reader has, as my version has 10 self portraits by Rembrandt. I would have liked to have seen more portraits by recent artists as the variation in how to approach the modern portrait is extensive compared with say the 17th C. The reproductions are good and the quality of paper is also good. The introduction by Julian Bell is well written and could have even been expanded upon further. It provides an excellent overview of how portraiture and art in general have changed over the centuries. A worthy book to have on the shelf - lends itself to random browsing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific collection, March 22, 2010

By 

Frederick P. Bell Jr. "Fred Bell, bellart.com" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 500 Self-Portraits (Paperback)

I am enjoying this book very much. With 500 portraits the book remains interesting and educational for a long time. More than seeing what the artists look like is the variety of styles and attitudes. I recommend it!

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Six self- portraits of Rembrandt are not enough, October 31, 2006

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: 500 Self-Portraits (Paperback)

This work is based on an earlier collection of self- portraits made by the scholar Ludwig Goldscheider. It contains many of the great works in the self-portrait including six self- portraits by the artist whose signature is written most prominently on this type of work, Rembrandt.

It is difficult to fault a work which has so many great paintings in it, but I do find a couple of problems with the volume. The introduction is small and inadequate and there is no explanatory text whatsoever. I also found disconcerting and unpleasant a number of the more recent paintings selected.

I would also point, to what it seems to me, is an inherent inadequacy of a book of this kind. Rembrandt teaches us that the true - self- portrait of an artist is a long series of self- portaits, is a history and a life of the person. The single self- portrait made of one time can show a moment of a life, can represent a person as they would be represented, but cannot tell us the whole life.

Six self- portraits of Rembrandt are not enough.