Why Portrait Paintings Still Matter Today

Today, anyone with a smartphone can snap a portrait in seconds, why does portrait painting still matter? What can a painting capture that a photograph cannot? I think these are questions that often go through ones mind especially as one is putting in a lot of time and effort to learn the craft of painting. And I think it is important to wrestle with those questions as the process will help solidify a deeper love for painting.

Portrait paintings are more than just visual representations of a person—they are profound, intimate reflections of identity, and presence. Unlike photographs though, which often act as a quick visual record, painted portraits emerge slowly, thoughtfully, and through the interpretive lens of the artist. This is not a loss of accuracy, but rather a higher level of accuracy that reveals something beyond the mere likeness of a person. And not to mention, some of the most valuable works of art in the world are portraits.

Therefore a painted portrait isn’t meant to just merely be a likeness. Especially as a painting isn’t really about the object – but about how the spots of color and value work together to create a distinct harmony. These elements come together not only to depict a face, but to express something deeper: the essence of a person. The things that separate photography from painting—subjectivity, abstraction, imperfection—are precisely what make portrait paintings so enduring and powerful. All that said, it is helpful to see portrait painting through the lens of the past to understand how important they are to us today.

A Brief History: When the Portrait Became Radical

Portraiture wasn’t always common—or accessible. In early Renaissance Italy, portraits were typically commissioned by the wealthy elite, and most were painted in strict profile, echoing the classical restraint of Roman coins. This detached view offered little connection between subject and viewer.

That began to change in the 15th century. A pivotal moment came when artists like Sandro Botticelli began painting people directly facing the viewer—a pose previously reserved for depictions of Christ. To portray an individual in such a manner was nothing short of revolutionary for the time. This change signified a shift in how individuals were perceived: not just as anonymous members of society, but as unique persons worthy of recognition and remembrance.

Portraits became eternal witnesses—not only to a person’s appearance, but to their spirit.

Idealized Beauty and the Soul

In Renaissance thought, outward beauty was often seen as a reflection of inner virtue. Portraits were frequently idealized, smoothing flaws and emphasizing harmony to reflect moral character. Painters didn’t just aim for a physical likeness—they created visual metaphors for nobility, purity, or intellect. Even back then, physical likeness wasn’t the only goal.

These portraits weren’t dishonest. But they were expressing a set of cultural values, visual essays on what made a person “good” or “worthy.” However, not all artists followed this ideology.

The Turn Toward Realism

While idealized beauty dominated early portraiture, some Renaissance and Baroque artists began seeking realism instead—an approach that would deeply influence modern portraiture.

• Hans Holbein the Younger was known for his meticulous, lifelike depictions of European nobility. Every fold of fabric and every facial line was painted with clarity and care, emphasizing truth over flattery.
• Leonardo da Vinci, although trained in idealized forms, brought psychological complexity to his subjects, blending realism with mystery—as seen in the enduring power of the Mona Lisa.
• Caravaggio broke new ground with portraits filled with grit, emotion, and unfiltered humanity. His sitters looked like real people, not mythic heroes—complete with imperfections, shadows, and soul.

These artists helped redefine portraiture as not just a tool for celebration or flattery, but for deep observation.

Why Portrait Paintings Still Matter—Now More Than Ever

Today, photography is more accessible than ever. But that hasn’t made portrait painting obsolete—far from it. In fact, the qualities that separate painting from photography are exactly what keep the painted portrait vital.

A painted portrait:

• Is not a mere visual copy, but a translation of a person through the artist’s eye and hand.
• Uses brushstrokes, texture, and color to create a kind of visual poetry.
• Invites interpretation, not just recognition.
• Captures the essence of the subject
• Takes time—demanding care, presence, and attention from both artist and subject.

This process creates something that’s not just about how someone looks—but who they are.

At its best, a painted portrait is a spiritual experience. It becomes a dialogue across time—a way for viewers to meet the gaze of someone long gone or feel connected to someone they’ve never met.

Contemporary Portrait Painters Keeping the Tradition Alive

Today’s portrait artists continue to expand and challenge the genre, using classical techniques alongside contemporary themes to make powerful, relevant work.

Here are a few modern painters who are redefining portraiture today:

• Kehinde Wiley – Known for his vibrant, large-scale portraits of Black subjects in heroic poses, Wiley merges classical European aesthetics with modern identity and politics.
• Alicia Brown – A Jamaican artist whose portraits blend historical references with themes of personal and cultural identity, often highlighting the tension between beauty and realism.
• Lynette Yiadom-Boakye – Though her portraits are of fictional characters, her loose, expressive brushwork and rich use of color explore the inner lives of imagined figures, adding a layer of storytelling and mystery.
• Jenny Saville – Famed for her raw, large-scale depictions of the human body, Saville challenges ideals of beauty and perfection, offering a visceral experience of human presence.

These artists show that portraiture is not a relic of the past—it’s a living, breathing form of expression that continues to evolve.

Why you should explore portrait painting