Vanessa Berlein Portfolio: Disengagement

A series of oversized portrait done in oil on paper exploring the moment between poses, when the subject is disengaged from the moment of pose, -not cognizant of the fall of expression or the pull of skin and facial muscle. I wanted to catch the instant, when the subject is considering the next pose and so is removed from the consciousness of me, the artist, documenting the moment

In considering the positure of traditional portraiture, where the sitter engages fully with the viewer and is so aware of the possible interpretation of themselves, I concluded that the rendering of portrait was often not a very true reflection of the subject. The truth of character is to be found in the moments between posing, and I set about to try and capture that moment.

In the placing of the subjects as I have, and in cutting the chest area sharply, I looked to the era of cameos, so popular in the Victorian era, referencing the romanticism of portraiture, and humanity.

Within my portraits, I would hope for the viewer to form a relationship with the subject, bourne from their imagination, and their relationship with self.

In framing the work with reflective glass, the viewer is made to contemplate the painting through of their own reflection and in doing so, becomes one with the character portrayed in the painting. I believe that we experience qualities of ourselves in all whom we meet, and should perhaps become more aware of those qualities reflected back at ourselves in order for us to understand more, who we are.