I chose three different three different portraits from three different era along the self-portrait timeline. All three convey some semblance of power in their time.
Rigard, Hyacinthe. Portrait of Louis XIV. 1701. Oil on Canvas.
The first is of King Louis XIV of Spain, and is a portrait painted depicting him in all his glory and splendour. It oozes his power as a monarch, and the logos of his majesty. The visual text would have been read by the masses as the monarchy being superior to them, and its influence is what helped absolutist keep hold over their subjects.
Fratini, Renato and Pulford, Eric. From Russia with Love. 1963. Movie Poster.
The next image is the official poster of the second movie in the Bond franchise. Its promise of action and pin-ups drew in the crowds – and kept them. The pathos of the advertising lead to a massive following and ever growing fan base. The text however it has a dominant male gaze, depicting Bond as the slick super saviour and all of the supporting women his pretty play things for being such a grand agent. This was a powerful message of the time, that kept women viewed as lesser men.
Kardashian, Kim. When you’re like I have nothing to wear LOL. 2016. Instagram Post.
The final visual text is the infamous Kim K nude Instagram post (censored of course). The ethos of her post sent the internet into an uproar. I agree that it was classless, but in saying that was it classless of her? The power of the image had a momentum that set it trending, and had so many people online talking about it and its influence.
tendingmycabbagepatch 