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Blog > July Writing Prompt: Portraits

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The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

Sometimes we pick a writing prompt from someone in the forums, and this month’s was posted a while ago, and comes from Helen (aka helenis). She was curious about what painter from past centuries you’d order your painting from—which sounds like a fascinating question to me!

In July, write about the past painter from whom you’d have loved to order your portrait!
Summer, from The Seasons by Alphonse Mucha, a woman with flowers in her hair and her feet dipping into water, in Art Nouveau style

I have to confess that I couldn’t answer this off the top of my head. I’m not a very visual thinker, so I’ve never had a big interest in art. (Cringe! I’m sorry.) But I did know the style I really like, so I poked around the internet and ended up with a very firm favourite: Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist who had a strong influence on the Art Nouveau movement.

There’s actually a fan artist who does Art Nouveau portraits of people’s Final Fantasy XIV characters, very much in this style, so maybe I really will order “my” portrait in this style. My character has much better style for it, let’s be honest.

Now’s the part where I get to learn more about all kinds of artists across the world! Which artist would you order your portrait from? Maybe someone local, or someone who created a style of their own? You can share it in the comments here, but you can also use it as a prompt for something to write on your postcards this month.

17 comments so far

beesknees, United States of America

Oooooh, I would go for Gustav Klimt -with all the gold and circles style.

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Weib1969h, Germany

What a good question - I would go for Vermeer or Rembrandt. :-)

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postmuse, United States of America

Cool prompt! I’d want John Singer Sargent, in the way he painted Portrait of Madame X.

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paarsgeel, Netherlands

Leonardo da Vinci , he could make a portrait of me , not too handsome or beautifull ( I am old), but a bit mysterieus with a beautiful landscape behind me....

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Clicka, Spain

Velázquez! 😍

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sallyanne, United States of America

Chagal - so playful!

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Aguaroble, Lithuania

Nice question!
I'd maybe go for some Belgian painters like Léon Frédéric or René Magritte...

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Olga1306, Belarus

Very interesting!) I would like to get a portrait from Valentin Serov))

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eiramesor, Germany

I would be interested in having my portrait painted by Giuseppe Arcimboldo. Typical of the 16th-century painter are his paintings in which he arranges flowers, fruit, and vegetables into portraits.

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Jo-Hanna, Netherlands

Evelyn De Morgan or another Pre-Raphaelite painter, like Edward Burne-Jones or Dante Gabriel Rossetti, lovely 😍

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mgoliver, United States of America

Alphonse Mucha is a fantastic choice! I'm torn between John Singer Sargent and Vermeer — two very different periods and styles.

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Ceres1849, United Kingdom

What an interesting question, I didn't hesitate to answer this one. Whilst Rembandt sprung to mind I have to say it could only be a portrait by Andrew Wyeth. Apart from the Portrait itself I would have loved the opportunity to sit for him and talk to him and explore his technique in Gouache.. He was a wonderful wonderful artist.

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Tjoks, South Africa

Van Gogh or Pierneef

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WilmaTaylor, United States of America

Mine would be John WaterHouse

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ggonzalez023, Mexico

Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo were two extraordinary surrealist artists whose friendship and creativity flourished in Mexico City, where they found refuge and inspiration during the mid-20th century.

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EchoHeather, United States of America

Pierre-Auguste Renoir would be my choice!

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jjmedusa, United States of America

Andy Warhol! :)

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