What is a Portrait?

A portrait is a visual representation of a person or people. 

"Portrait of the Artists Mother"

This person seems like someone who is very serious. She is looking straight ahead of her with no expression on her face. Her hands are positioned on her lap and she is sitting very straight. The clothes that she is wearing are black and white, no color at all. The clothes are also old fashioned and cover all her skin besides her face, there is even cloth covering her hands. I think this is a very classic portrait, having someone pose and then the artist paint what they see. 

"Mother and Child" by: Mary Cassat 

The mother in the picture seems very caring, she is holding on to her daughter and looking at her. The colors in the painting are inviting they are light a lot of white and peach color. It feels like the child is in very safe hands and feels safe. 

"Portrait of Chess Player" by Mar

This portrait is very cool because there are no actual people in it. However if you look you closely can make out two people in the shapes closley  that are playing chess. I didn't realize that they were playing chess until I read the title. The artist does a great job of using shapes to create the bodies. I think this artist defiantly reinvents the concept of a portrait.