Beyond Familiar Names · Subject 01 of 20 · 30 artists
A portrait begins with a person, but it also presents a set of choices: where the eyes turn, how the body is posed, what enters the frame, and what remains outside it. These thirty artists offer ways to examine those choices through individual works. Look beyond resemblance to the work done by clothing, background, scale, and the treatment of a surface. A small detail can direct an entire encounter, inviting us to meet the sitter or reminding us that an image has been carefully composed.
A 4½-minute gallery film featuring all 30 artists in this chapter. Music and artwork credits appear in the film and below.
Film soundtrack: Artists by Medium 01 - Pigment and Quiet Fire — an existing original instrumental from the Incoprea library, created with Suno under the owner’s Premier subscription.
Looking closely
Consider how a face, pose, or chosen detail becomes a public image of a person.
Explore the 20 subjects
- 01. Faces and Identities
- 02. Bodies and Gesture
- 03. Childhood and Family
- 04. Rooms and Daily Life
- 05. Work and Trade
- 06. Streets and City Life
- 07. Architecture and Built Space
- 08. Land and Sky
- 09. Water and Voyages
- 10. Plants and Gardens
- 11. Animals and Other Creatures
- 12. Dress and Self-Presentation
- 13. Music, Theatre and Dance
- 14. Sacred Stories and Devotion
- 15. Myth, Allegory and Fantasy
- 16. Power, Conflict and Public Memory
- 17. Books, Words and Knowledge
- 18. Pattern and Ornament
- 19. Vessels and Useful Beauty
- 20. Small Treasures and Keepsakes
The 30 artists in this chapter
- William Tassie
- Constantin Meunier
- Aqa Buzurg Shirazi
- Bouillier
- Aug. Forberger
- Francesco Laurana
- Eiju
- Camille Silvy
- Jean-Baptiste Pigalle
- Morlon
- Carl Wigand
- Firmin Massot
- François Girardon
- Utagawa Hirosada
- Cesare Bernieri
- Paul Anton Skerl
- J. T. Upson
- Micah Williams
- Frans van der Mijn
- Yamazaki Toshinobu
- Juan de la Cruz Palomino
- Henry Williams
- Georg David Matthieu
- Emile Tourtin
- Hippolyte Mailly
- Jean-Baptiste Isabey
- Yokoyama Matsusaburō
- Jens Jørgensen Juel
- Joseph Hirsch
- Georges Lemmen
Artist 01 of 30
William Tassie
British, London 1777–1860 London
The Met credits William Tassie as the maker of Admiral Lord Duncan of Camperdown, dated 1798. The museum records its format as “Portrait plaque” and its medium as “Glass.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “British, London 1777–1860 London.”
Its subjects include profiles.
Artist 02 of 30
Constantin Meunier
Belgian, Etterbeek 1831–1905 Ixelles
The Met credits Constantin Meunier as the artist of The Miner, dated 1904. The museum records its format as “Relief” and its medium as “Bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Belgian, Etterbeek 1831–1905 Ixelles.”
Its subjects include profiles.
Artist 03 of 30
Aqa Buzurg Shirazi
Iranian, active ca. 1840–1860
The Met credits Aqa Buzurg Shirazi as the artist of Portrait of Prince Nasir al-Din Mirza, dated 1840's. The museum records its format as “Illustrated single work” and its medium as “Watercolor on paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Iranian, active ca. 1840–1860.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 04 of 30
Bouillier
French, active 1886–early 1890s
![Edouard Manet [?] — Bouillier](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/web-large/DP210625.jpg)
The Met credits Bouillier as the artist of Edouard Manet [?], dated ca. 1890. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print from glass negative.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, active 1886–early 1890s.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 05 of 30
Aug. Forberger
1762–1865
The Met credits Aug. Forberger as the artist of Portrait of a man, dated 1795. The museum records its format as “Panel” and its medium as “Verre églomisé.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “1762–1865.”
Its subjects include profiles.
Artist 06 of 30
Francesco Laurana
Italian (born Croatia), Zadar (Vrana) ca. 1420–ca. 1502 Marseilles
The Met credits Francesco Laurana as the artist of Young Woman, dated ca. 1475. The museum records its format as “Mask” and its medium as “Marble.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Italian (born Croatia), Zadar (Vrana) ca. 1420–ca. 1502 Marseilles.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 07 of 30
Eiju
Japanese, active ca. 1789–1801
The Met credits Eiju as the artist of Portrait of Toyozumi of Chojiya House, Writing a Letter. The museum records its format as “Print” and its medium as “Woodblock print; ink and color on paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, active ca. 1789–1801.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 08 of 30
Camille Silvy
French, 1835–1869
![[John Leech] — Camille Silvy](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/web-large/DP-386-187.jpg)
The Met credits Camille Silvy as the artist of [John Leech], dated 1860s. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, 1835–1869.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 09 of 30
Jean-Baptiste Pigalle
French, 1714–1785
The Met credits Jean-Baptiste Pigalle as the artist of Madame de Pompadour (1721–1764), dated 1748–51. The museum records its format as “Bust” and its medium as “White marble (Sost, the French Pyrenees).” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, 1714–1785.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 10 of 30
Morlon
French, active ca. 1858
The Met credits Morlon as the artist of Le Guide de L'Étranger. The museum records its format as “Print” and its medium as “Lithograph.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, active ca. 1858.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 11 of 30
Carl Wigand
active 1860s
![[Riefstahl ?] — Carl Wigand](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/web-large/DP-386-277.jpg)
The Met credits Carl Wigand as the artist of [Riefstahl ?], dated 1860s. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “active 1860s.”
Its subjects include portraits, profiles.
Artist 12 of 30
Firmin Massot
Swiss, Geneva 1766–1849 Genf
The Met credits Firmin Massot as the artist of Portrait of a Seated Young Lady Drawing under a Tree, dated late 18th–19th century. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Black, red, brown and white chalk, brush and gray, blue and green wash, heightened with pastel; verso: black and red chalk.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Swiss, Geneva 1766–1849 Genf.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 13 of 30
François Girardon
French, Troyes 1628–1715 Paris
The Met credits François Girardon as the artist of Louis of France, The Grand Dauphin (1661–1711), dated late 17th century. The museum records its format as “Bust” and its medium as “Bronze, on marble base.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, Troyes 1628–1715 Paris.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 14 of 30
Utagawa Hirosada
Japanese, active 1825–75
The Met credits Utagawa Hirosada as the artist of Nine Prints Depicting Dual Portraits of Actors in Roles, dated ca. 1852. The museum records its format as “Woodblock prints” and its medium as “Nine woodblock prints.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, active 1825–75.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 15 of 30
Cesare Bernieri
Italian, active Turin 1861–70
The Met credits Cesare Bernieri as the artist of Vittorio Emanuele II, dated 1867. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print from glass negative.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Italian, active Turin 1861–70.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 16 of 30
Paul Anton Skerl
German, Dresden 1787–1852 Dresden
The Met credits Paul Anton Skerl as the artist of Portrait of a Young Man in Profile, dated 1808. The museum records its format as “Print” and its medium as “Lithograph; first state of two.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “German, Dresden 1787–1852 Dresden.”
Its subjects include profiles.
Artist 17 of 30
J. T. Upson
American, active 1860s
![[William Holbrook Beard] — J. T. Upson](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/web-large/DP-386-015.jpg)
The Met credits J. T. Upson as the artist of [William Holbrook Beard], dated 1860s. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “American, active 1860s.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 18 of 30
Micah Williams
1782–1837
The Met credits Micah Williams as the artist of Captain Abraham Vorhees, dated ca. 1803–5. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pastel on off-white wove paper, mounted on a wood strainer.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “1782–1837.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 19 of 30
Frans van der Mijn
Dutch (born Germany), Dusseldorf 1719–1783 London
The Met credits Frans van der Mijn as the artist of Portrait of an elegant lady, dated 1750–70. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pastel on blue-gray paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Dutch (born Germany), Dusseldorf 1719–1783 London.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 20 of 30
Yamazaki Toshinobu
Japanese, active ca. 1857–1886
The Met credits Yamazaki Toshinobu as the artist of Presentation of the Head of Saigo to the Prince Arisogawa, dated Oct. 16, 1877 (Meiji 10). The museum records its format as “Woodblock print” and its medium as “One sheet of a triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, active ca. 1857–1886.”
Its subjects include heads.
Artist 21 of 30
Juan de la Cruz Palomino
Peruvian, active Chile, 1860s–1900s
![[Studio Portrait: Man Seated on Wooden Box ] — Juan de la Cruz Palomino](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/web-large/DP-15801-143.jpg)
The Met credits Juan de la Cruz Palomino as the artist of [Studio Portrait: Man Seated on Wooden Box ], dated 1860s–70s. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Peruvian, active Chile, 1860s–1900s.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 22 of 30
Henry Williams
American, Boston, Massachusetts 1787–1830 Boston, Massachusetts
The Met credits Henry Williams as the artist of Mrs. Ichabod M. Cushman (nee Nancy Blymer), dated 1787–1830. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pastel on blue wove paper laid down to tan paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “American, Boston, Massachusetts 1787–1830 Boston, Massachusetts.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 23 of 30
Georg David Matthieu
German, Berlin 1737–1778 Ludwigslust
The Met credits Georg David Matthieu as the artist of Family Portrait, dated 1737–78. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Black and red chalk, white gouache, blue pastel.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “German, Berlin 1737–1778 Ludwigslust.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 24 of 30
Emile Tourtin
French, active 1860s–70s
![[? Aubert] — Emile Tourtin](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/web-large/DP-386-003.jpg)
The Met credits Emile Tourtin as the artist of [? Aubert], dated 1860s. The museum records its format as “Carte-de-visite” and its medium as “Albumen silver print.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, active 1860s–70s.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 25 of 30
Hippolyte Mailly
French, Villers-Cotterêts 1829–1888 Bazancourt
The Met credits Hippolyte Mailly as the artist of Caricature of a Standing Man, dated 1857. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Graphite on brown paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, Villers-Cotterêts 1829–1888 Bazancourt.”
Its subjects include profiles.
Artist 26 of 30
Jean-Baptiste Isabey
French, Nancy 1767–1855 Paris
The Met credits Jean-Baptiste Isabey as the artist of Portrait of Villeau, dated 1818. The museum records its format as “Print” and its medium as “Lithograph; only state.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, Nancy 1767–1855 Paris.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 27 of 30
Yokoyama Matsusaburō
Japanese, 1838–1884
![[Geisha with Attendant] — Yokoyama Matsusaburō](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ph/original/DP369542.jpg)
The Met credits Yokoyama Matsusaburō as the artist of [Geisha with Attendant], dated 1880s. The museum records its format as “Ambrotype” and its medium as “Ambrotype.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, 1838–1884.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 28 of 30
Jens Jørgensen Juel
Danish, Balslev 1745–1802 Copenhagen
The Met credits Jens Jørgensen Juel as the artist of Portrait of Petronella Cornelia Rømeling, dated ca. 1792?. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pastel on brown laid paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Danish, Balslev 1745–1802 Copenhagen.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 29 of 30
Joseph Hirsch
American, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1910–1981 New York
The Met credits Joseph Hirsch as the artist of Air Raid, dated ca. 1940. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pastel and graphite on orange paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “American, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1910–1981 New York.”
Its subjects include portraits.
Artist 30 of 30
Georges Lemmen
Belgian, 1865–1916
The Met credits Georges Lemmen as the artist of Portrait of Jan Toorop, dated 1901. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pastel on paperboard.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Belgian, 1865–1916.”
Its subjects include portraits.
