Analysis of portrait paintings of artists of the Republican period using pedagogical criticism method

In this research, portrait paintings made by artists of the Republican period were analyzed using the pedagogical criticism method. A descriptive survey model, one of the qualitative research models, was used in the research. The universe of the research consists of the works of painters who painted portraits and self-portraits during the Republican period. The sample of the research was determined as an easily accessible sample, one of the purposeful sampling types. In the research, 33 paintings by 12 painters were analyzed using the pedagogical criticism method. In the research, it was seen that portraits and self-portraits, which emerged from the desire to depict the human figure and one's own self, which is the common tendency of most artists, were preferred and accepted as a direct means of communication after social and psychological research. Despite the changes created in portraits by post-Republican artistic movements, the documentary aspect of portraits has not changed, and artists aimed to convey not only the physical resemblance of the subject, but also their emotional intensity and inner world. Despite their different personal styles and artistic perspectives, the common goal among the painters centered on the desire to convey their artistic passions by capturing the model's emotions and reflecting their inner selves through the depiction of the human figure. With the rise of the Republic, there was a noticeable increase in the depiction of women in portraits, leading to a gradual shift among female models towards resemblance to Western women. While in the pre-Republic period portrait commissioning was limited to the aristocracy, wealthy individuals, military personnel and politicians, following the rise of painting as a popular art form during the founding of the Republic, the availability of portraiture expanded, leading to greater accessibility to the general public. This study addresses the inclusion of art criticism techniques in art education to improve the quality of education and encourage the development of individuals' independent thinking and critical analysis capacities. Art criticism aims to enlighten and educate individuals by providing a deeper understanding of art and cultural values. In conclusion, it can be said that art criticism plays an important role in the development of both art education and general education. By criticizing art, individuals can observe with a critical eye, comprehend what they see, and express their understanding.