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!
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.
63 comments so far
Oooooh, I would go for Gustav Klimt -with all the gold and circles style.
What a good question - I would go for Vermeer or Rembrandt. :-)
Cool prompt! I’d want John Singer Sargent, in the way he painted Portrait of Madame X.
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....
Velázquez! 😍
Chagal - so playful!
Nice question!
I'd maybe go for some Belgian painters like Léon Frédéric or René Magritte...
Very interesting!) I would like to get a portrait from Valentin Serov))
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.
Evelyn De Morgan or another Pre-Raphaelite painter, like Edward Burne-Jones or Dante Gabriel Rossetti, lovely 😍
Alphonse Mucha is a fantastic choice! I'm torn between John Singer Sargent and Vermeer — two very different periods and styles.
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.
Van Gogh or Pierneef
Mine would be John WaterHouse
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.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir would be my choice!
Andy Warhol! :)
I could like to see how Picasso draws me!
Interesting! Alphonse Mucha, because his women have this inside-glow and strength. Vermeer because he played with light and shadow, van Gogh for his special technique.
Gauguin!
Undoubtedly Gauguin... I really love different artists and styles... But Gauguin is definitely among my favorites...
Van Gogh is also interesting... In fact, I think they would all be interesting, because everyone sees something different. Can you imagine your portrait painted by Picasso in a cubist style?
Well, what a challenging and interesting idea; I do love so many different styles of painting!! From Pre-Raphaelite painters, to Baroc, Impressionist or Art Nouveau, that would be thrilling ❣️👌
The most famous Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn… and while he would paint a portrait of me I could talk to him. Oh, I have so many questions to ask him and how curious I would be about his answers!
Helene Schjerfbeck, a Finnish painter, 1862-1946. She lived in the same town where I live now in the beginning of last century. She lived with her mother some 20 years and they had a quite poor life (and now her paintings are sold in very high prices, of course). She painted lots of portraits and asked her neighbours to sit as models because she did not have money to pay them.
I would love to have portrait of me by Salvador Dali!! 😃
I also love Alphonse Mucha! His work is very popular in Japan. There is a permanent Alphonse Mucha museum in Osaka.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn would be my choice!
xoxo
Great question...my artist pick would definitely be the very talented Gustav Klimt from Vienna.
Hmm it's so hard to decide......
I recently discovered fascinating french painter Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938) and I would love to have a portrait made by her!
Paul Delvaux !
If I wanted a very realistic portrait of me, I'd say Hans Holbein the Younger. But in the end I think I'd prefer something abstract and playful in the style of Paul Klee (somewhat like his "Senecio", for those who know it)!
Like kabuki2611 I also like Paul Delvaux a lot, especially his works with trains. I visited his museum in St. Idesbald a few times and it's a nice museum to visit.
Banksy oder Kandinsky, because every pictures are with a secret :-)
Picasso. It would be fascinating to see a cubist version of myself. I'd alos hope to have a conversation with him while he painted.
First choice, Amedeo Modigliani, second choice would be Alberto Giacometti
Edouard Vuillard would be my choice
From Giovanni Boldini, painter from the Belle Epoque, Italo-French <3 or the painter Vittorio-Matteo Corcos discovered recently...
Frida Kahlo! Yes, definitely Frida Kahlo!
H R Giger
It would have to be Chagal for me. His use of color and fantastical paintings always bring a smile and I think fit my persona.
It would be a dream come true to have my portrait painted by Kristjana S. Williams.
I don't like most art cards, but if I had to have my portrait painted, it would have had to be by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. His paintings are as good as photos!
Johannes Vermeer
I would be thrilled if Faith Ringgold would portray me :) - how nice this question is for July :)
Yayoi Kusama.
I would like to be painted in the nude by Peter Paul Rubens similar to his “Venus, Mars, and Cupid”!
Joaquin Sorolla! :)
Otto Dix
I would like to have two different views of me. The first is by Konstantin Vasilyev, and the second is by Salvador Dalí
She is not famous but I will choose my Mother in Law, Ria Van Es.
I think Shōen Uemura or Frida Kahlo might be good.
So, if I had my dream figure and face, it would definitely be my favorite Mucha. No doubt about it! 🥰♥️
Unfortunately, my figure 🐳 is more for Rembrandt and my face 😱 is for Edvard Munch. Perhaps only Picasso could make me beautiful - understand me - cut me into squares and randomly glue me back together. 🤣🤣🤣
Salvador Dali
I will always go for Van Gogh. I like his paintings and probably would have mine painted by him.
Georges de La Tour. I love the way he paints candle light.
My favorite artist is Ivan Bilibin. I really like his illustrations for fairy tales. This is a special style of Slavic. This month I plan to send out postcards with his pictures.
This is a great question and I love the responses. I would like my portrait painted by artist/illustrator Maira Kalman because her portraits are colorful and whimsical. I would also consider it an honor to have my portrait painted by artists Alice Neel. It might not be particularly flattering, but it would be honest.
Henk Helmantel
I think I would select either Andy Warhol or Chagall. They do wonderful colors and whimsical styles. It would be fun to see their interpretations.
What a wonderful prompt! I would like Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, Leonora Carrington, Rene Magritte or Van Gogh. It’s too hard to choose just one.
If Picasso painted me, I'm sure I'd become beautiful ♪
If Picasso painted me, I'd be a beautiful woman✨
Modigliani or Vermeer. I'm beginning a jigsaw puzzle of the women of the four seasons done by Alphonse Mucha, so lovely, by Pintoo, for any A. Mucha fans.
↑ Back to top ↑