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.
24 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 ❣️👌
There is a local artist, she also offers courses in acrylic painting here in the surrounding area. I'd pick her to paint my portrait because if I like portraits, I like them very roughly drawn. In oil or acryl, that's the choice for me. I've put an example on my avatar now.
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.
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