“Reflections on the Self: From Dürer to Struth” at Christie’s Mayfair is a fascinating and comprehensive journey through the history of self-portraiture from the rise of the genre in the 15th century to its apogee in the 20th and 21st centuries.Curated by specialists Cristian Albu and Jacob Uecker, the exhibition offers a revealing art historical context for the current “age of the selfie” through 70 works by more than 50 artists (B. 1954) spanning painting, print, sculpture, collage, and installation.In the catalogue foreword, Francis Outred, European head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, explains that the history of self-portraiture is one of social constructs — the cultural, economic, and political filters that have shaped our understanding of identity over time.“Juxtaposing carefully selected works by artists that have championed this art form in wildly varied ways, the exhibition seeks to expand the parameters of the genre beyond the traditional idea of a window into the artist’s soul,” Outred stated.The exhibition begins with Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut “The Bathhouse” (circa 1496-97) and culminates with irreverant Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s “WE” (2010), two undersize waxwork models of the artist lying in bed.Other highlights include Lucian Freud’s evocative painting “Self-Portrait: Reflection” (1985), Andy Warhol’s powerful “Fright Wig” series of self-portraits, Rembrandt’s etching “Self-Portrait with Saskia” (1636), and Francis Bacon’s painting “Two Figures” (1975), to name a few.“Reflections on the Self” also includes works by Marlene Dumas, Francisco Goya, Richard Hamilton, Barbara Hepworth, Martin Kippenberger, LS Lowry, Sarah Lucas, Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, Edvard Munch, Albert Oehlen, Rudolf Stingel, Thomas Struth, Andy Warhol, and many more.“Reflections on the Self” is at Christie’s Mayfair, 103 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1ST — 2 June to 5 September 2015Click the slideshow to see higlights from the exhibition
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