ARTS 2512 - A History of the Selfie

Arts & Sciences Department
While the selfie is often associated with the iPhone launch in 2007, its true lineage is the self-portrait. Discussion starts with the 15th century, when artists were inspired to depict themselves in their own work. Why? This course is the story behind the selfie. From the paintings of Albrecht Dürer, Vincent van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, and Frida Kahlo to Andy Warhol’s silkscreens to Shirin Neshat’s and Cindy Sherman’s photographs, we explore almost 500 years of self-portraiture in all media. We analyze selfportraits as visual objects, and we ask questions about context, incentive, emotion, and when a selfie can be categorized as “Art.”
credit(s): 3
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100