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.

Above, Picnic at Bedford Hills, 1918, by Florine Stettheimer (1871-1944). I think Florine is the one in red. Picnic season is here!

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.

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.

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."

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.

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!

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

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