Portraits

A portrait is an artwork or image, typically a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving, that focuses on a person's face or head and shoulders.

Portraiture is an ancient art form dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. Before photography, people relied on paintings, sculptures, or drawings to capture someone's appearance.

However, portraits have always been more than just records. They were used to display the sitter's qualities like power, beauty, or wealth, often in a flattering way. Artists who didn't flatter, like William Hogarth, often had their work rejected. An exception was Francisco Goya, known for his seemingly honest portraits of the Spanish royal family.