Project 5: Traditional Regalia-Theory Notes

Physical poses that typically represents importance in classical paintings

In classical paintings, the portraits are mostly either head-shots or a semi-shots. Therefore it is quite difficult to see their poses. However in the portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, the viewers can observe that her legs are together and her hands are laid together on her lap. Moreover in all of these portraits, the subjects' heads are to the side(mostly to the left from the viewer's point of view). They have a poker face with no emotions. These same physical poses show that the society then was very strict and even the arts had to follow the rules.

Physical Poses that typically represents importance in contemporary photographs

In contemporary photographs, poses in portraits have become much more free and the portraits are not restricted to only head shots but also full shots. As can be seen above, various effects are added to the portraits and the subjects are not restricted to only one pose. They can sit down, stand up or jump around. Also their faces show emotions and emotions have become the essence of portraits.