Description

This course examines the evolution of English portraiture across painting and film, exploring its role in shaping concepts of identity, aesthetics, and ethics. From the refined details of Elizabethan portraits to Ellen DeGeneres’ internet-breaking Oscars selfie, each portrait reflects not only the identity of the depicted subject but also the broader cultural ideals and ethical values of its time. These works allow us to understand how visual representations capture social codes and influence our perception of both individual and collective identity.

Transitioning from canvas to screen, we will explore how portraiture in film extends these visual and ethical concerns into dynamic storytelling. The psychological intricacies of Hitchcock’s thrillers, Billy Wilder’s shadowed moral landscapes and contributions to the film noir genre, the distinctive stylization of Wes Anderson’s films, Baz Luhrmann’s visually striking biopics and adaptations of literary classics, and Orson Welles’ expressionist tendencies each represent a unique cinematic approach that deepens our understanding of representation in the Anglo-Saxon world.

Throughout the semester, students will select a portrait of personal interest and apply course insights to craft a critical analysis. Engaging discussions of selected works will foster a nuanced appreciation of how portraiture, whether painted or filmed, both explains shifting historical values and challenges our perception of self and society.