The Regents Essay

Arianna Joshua February 2011

FSSA Ms. Spata

Essay

There are several elements of art, principles of design, as well as visual references that are used by numerous artists in an attempt to use portraiture to express their own personal beliefs along with public perceptions. Two pieces created throughout art history help convey this idea, they consist of Annie Liebovitz’s photograph of actress Nicole Kidman, along with Andy Warhol’s screen print of actress Marilyn Monroe.

Several comparisons can be made between these two pieces despite the fact that the mediums used differ. Both pieces can be seen as the symbols of what beauty is perceived to be like in the public eye nowadays, which is probably the concept that the artists were trying to convey through the pieces. Aside from what they felt beauty was to the public, each of the pieces in part could also be based on what true beauty meant to them. The screen print of Marilyn Monroe depicts the face of the pop culture icon who is well known for her looks. This piece has been mass-produced in a variety of colors, using different printing techniques that were used to create the same effect that first original piece had and continues to have. Other than being repeated numerous times in the same original style, this piece was used as a means of inspiration for other artists who chose to recreate this piece in their own style.

The photograph of Nicole Kidman is a piece that also can be the representation of what beauty is to photographer Annie Liebovitz. The overall image is very simple without the need of much props to catch a viewers attention. The fact that the actress is the main and only subject of the picture quickly draws an...