The concept of portrait in 20th century painting

ABSTRACT THE CONCEPT OF PORTRAIT IN 20TH CENTURY PAINTING VARNA, Fırat Master of Arts, Department of Painting Supervisor: Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Aligholi MARDANİ December 2025, 107 pages This thesis aims to examine the transformation of the concept of portraiture in 20th century painting by considering the historical context of art. Traditionally used to depict the physical appearance and social status of the individual, the portrait evolved from the early 20th century into a multifaceted form of expression that transcended conventional definitions. With the aesthetic ruptures brought about by modernism and the questioning of representational norms in art, the portrait became a significant medium through which artists reflected subjective perspectives and the spirit of the age. In this context, the study explores how early modernist movements such as Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism reshaped the approach to portraiture. It further investigates how portraiture was redefined within the frameworks of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Conceptual Art, and Contemporary Art practices. Additionally, the impact of technological advancements—particularly photography, video, and digital media—on the evolution of portrait art is analyzed. The meanings attributed to portraiture by artists are examined through themes such as identity, gender, belonging, alienation, and consumer culture. This study aims to reveal how the portrait, once merely a formal representation, transformed in the 20th century into a conceptual and critical discourse that reflects the changing face of both the individual and society. In this regard, the thesis offers an interdisciplinary perspective on portrait art and traces the shifts within 20th-century painting through the lens of portraiture. Keywords: 20 century, portrait, picture, art, portrait concept