In 2018 I made a self-portrait inspired by the (so often) parodied Gabrielle d'Estrées et une de ses sœurs by an unknown artist (c. 1594). It is very interesting to read the analysis of the details, such as the nipple pinching, the ring and the baby behind. So do take a few minutes for that if you are curious!
In my version I wanted to talk about sisterhood, more precisely the nastiness that can exist in close relationships. I was happy with the result and mostly proud of my hair and makeup!
However, one technical imperfection made that I could not include it into my portfolio: my eyes were not in focus! It is very obvious once I zoom in. This can happen so often when making self-portraits. I just totally forgot to pay attention to it during the shoot! Working alone gives you flexible hours but you may not have your eye on everything at the same time! But having the eyes out of focus in a portrait can totally screw up the whole thing.
So my first attempt remained in my mind with an unfinished taste of failure. But I moved on to other projects.
2018 - This still the beginning of my series of composite photographies with self-portraits.
In September this year, I decided to remake the whole picture with the right focus as well as one more element from the original painting - the curtains. The curtains are important to me because I want that theatrical touch. I also decided to have the girl bend her elbow so that the whole thing can fit into my favourite 2x3 dimension.
The result is right below. I’m honestly very happy with what I’ve got.
September 2019 version
It is interesting to look at the reluctance I experienced to remake this picture after my first attempt. I spent more than a year doing other things, while thinking back to this project every few weeks. In my mind, I pictured a whole lot of work for the remake, while actually I accomplished several other way more complicated pictures! Once I decided to do it, I actually shot everything in the same evening. We are funny beings who sometimes spend more energy fearing the imaginery workload instead of doing it in an efficient way.
I hope this picture makes you smile. I hope at least you will feel free to project your own meanings onto it.