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AT FIRST SIGHT

ALLIE PISARRO-GRANT | DATE 6/2/2011

Narcissus in the Studio: Artist Portraits and Self-Portraits

This new release is teeming with quirky, fascinating portraits. In a society obsessed with image and beauty, we should welcome these unusual approaches. Here, I have chosen just 8 of my favorites from the 125 color reproductions in this enjoyable new catalog from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Picnic at Bedford Hills, 1918, by Florine Stettheimer (1871-1944). I think Florine is the one in red. Picnic season is here!

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Cookie Jar (How About a Little Cookie), 1971, by Robert Arneson (1930-1992). Cookies for brains, a lovely self-deprecating and whimsical approach to the self-portrait.

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Self-Portrait, 1974, by Audrey Flack (b. 1931). She was 43 when she painted this self portrait - a strange beauty! I love the 70's glow here.

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Self-Portrait, 1949, by Sylvia Fien. Honest emotions, exaggerated proportions. Said Sylvia Plath, "Dying is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well. I do it so it feels like hell. I do it so it feels real. I guess you could say I've a call."

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Self-Portrait, the Striped Blouse, 1940, by Gertrude Abercrombie (1909-1977). I guess she had a great shirt collection - see another one on her Wikipedia page here.

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Patch Self-Portrait with Small Pictures, ca. 1900, by John Frederick Peto. This is just so classic - so many artists studio walls still look like this today, and it's such an academic approach to a self-portrait. I made one like this when I was at art school!

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Self-Portrait in Turban with Eskimo Dog Pin, 1972, by Joan Brown (1938-1990). I wish I had an Eskimo Dog Pin!

Narcissus in the Studio
Above, Party for Myself, 1974, by Jane Lund (b. 1939). The title says it all.

Narcissus in the Studio

Narcissus in the Studio

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Pbk, 8 x 9.75 in. / 128 pgs / 125 color.