Vanessa Bell, (British, 1879 – 1961), Duncan Grant Painting [detail], Ca. 1952, 18 x 11 3/8 in., Bequest of Kenneth Curry, Ph.D. ‘32. 2000.1.4 © Estate of Vanessa Bell, image courtesy of Henrietta Garnett
May 21 - September 4, 2022

SUBJECT: ARTIST

Drawn entirely from the museum’s collection and featuring a diverse selection of paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs from the 19th to the 21st centuries, this exhibition examines the notion of the artist as subject. Whether through self-portraits or represented by others, these images speak to the sitters’ identity, self-image, legacy and agency. Scenes showing the artist at work, emphasizing their craft, posing for a formal photographic portrait, or captured interacting casually with others, the selection invites viewers to explore intimate portrayals that reveal insights into the experiences, perspectives, and context of the figures. Beyond the literal, these artworks function as metaphors to express admiration for other artists and as vehicles for self-affirmation, emphasizing the enduring power of the image as document. Featured artists include Robert Arneson, Vanessa Bell, Gabriele Castagnola, Edgar Degas, Alex Katz, Claes Oldenburg, and Gillian Wearing.  

This exhibition is organized by the Rollins Museum of Art.

Related Programs

July 8, 11 a.m., Exhibition Tour w/Curator 

July 12, 6 p.m., Arte Y Cafe Con La Curadora

See the 360-degree virtual view of this exhibition.

Robert Arneson, (American, 1930 - 1992), Jackson (Portrait of Jackson Pollock), 1982, Red chalk, wash and collage, 40 x 29 ¾ in., Museum purchased from the Wally Findlay Acquisitions Fund. 1990.2 © 2022 Robert Arneson / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Edgar Degas, (French, 1834 – 1917), Mary Cassatt in the Louvre, 1885, Etching, aquatint, dry point on china paper, 12 x 5 in., Bequest of Laura May Ripley, ‘44. 1992.8.18

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