History of Portraiture

21st Century Portraiture is yet to be defined by a style of portraiture. Portraits have been around since the beginning of time as a means to describe not only physical features but more importantly power and status. Testaments of portraiture as a genre can be seen as early as Ancient Egyptian wall paintings of gods and pharaohs.
Ancient Greeks also had fascination with portraiture, mostly in its sculpted form, representing both gods and lay people (who trough art were elevated to the status of a deity.) Romans followed a similar tradition borrowing motifs from Ancient Egypt and Greece and developing a flair for portrait busts of key power personalities. Ancient Greek and Romans were also the ones who started the tradition of depicting figure heads on coins.
During the middle ages portraiture declines and was strictly confined to donor portraits. The Renaissance saw the re-invention of portraiture in its modern sense and is a pivotal moment in the history of the genre. Predominately portraying royals, nobles and religious figures. They concentrated on the status and personality of the sitter through the depiction of objects of characterisation.

The 19th and early 20th Century are characterised by a multiplicity of art movements from the pre- realism, to impressionism, to cubism. Portraits during these times opened up to include the bourgeoisie and many times to include the immediate circle of artists, as well as nameless models. In the mid 20th century pop art developed a fascination for celebrity portraits, with Andy Warhol as its master, which has continued to the present day. From the 60's onwards photography takes over portraiture by the storm, due to its immediacy, developing many different trends. The 21st Century is yet to be defined by a style of portraiture, however it is about new media and shows how the art world has developed.