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Commander portraiture: from painting to photography

The story behind the art of capturing the essence of a leader

Throughout history, iconic images have symbolised power and authority for leaders, crucial in pre-modern societies with limited communication. Leaders use these images to promote their ideologies, often mixing in religious symbolism to enhance their authority. They commission works of art to immortalise their achievements and shape their historical legacy. In the absence of modern media, iconic images served as a form of communication and influence, helping leaders cultivate alliances and inspire loyalty. This practice persists in contemporary politics and culture, driven by the need to project power and shape perceptions.

Leaders in Portraits

Portraiture – the art of making portraits – has been interconnected with the history of painting for thousands of years. Dating back at least 5,000 years to Ancient Egypt, where it is thought to have originated, painting portraits is a longstanding artistic tradition (although other ancient cultures also engaged in portraiture). 

The fascination with military leaders depicted in portraits goes beyond their visual representation to encompass their historical significance and the impact of their military campaigns. Historical figures have been portrayed in different ways. Here are some examples. 

To start, the famous mosaic of Alexander the Great (first image below), known as the Alexander Mosaic, is a masterpiece of ancient art dating back to the 2nd century BCE. It depicts Alexander the Great fighting the Persian King Darius III at the Battle of Issus. The mosaic is celebrated for its intricate detail, dynamic composition and skilful use of tesserae. It offers valuable insights into Hellenistic art and the military prowess of Alexander, demonstrating his leadership and strategic genius. The mosaic is a testament to Alexander's enduring legacy and remains an iconic representation of ancient history.

Another important work is the statue of the head of Julius Caesar (second image below), a work of Roman sculpture that portrays Caesar with a dignified and commanding presence, reflecting his status as a powerful political and military leader of ancient Rome. The sculpture, which conveys authority and charisma, emphasises Caesar's role as a statesman and military conqueror, highlighting his influence on Roman history. 

The famous portraits of George Washington (1772) and Napoleon Bonaparte (1800) offer striking depictions of two influential historical figures. Charles Willson Peale's 1772 portrait of Washington captures him as a dignified and resolute leader and highlights his role in the American Revolution. In contrast, Jacques-Louis David's 1800 portrait of Napoleon shows him as a powerful and confident ruler, symbolising his rise to prominence during the French Revolution. Both portraits reflect the ideals and values of their respective eras and serve as iconic representations of Washington's and Napoleon's leadership and legacies. Portraits of these leaders and military commanders have not only shaped public perception and preserved historical memory, but have also conveyed symbolic messages, inspired future generations, and expressed cultural and artistic values through their idealised images and artistic collaborations that capture physical likeness and inner essence.

Revolutionising Portraiture: The Impact of Photography

As long as the work of art seeks to capture the expression, likeness or mood of a particular individual, the photographic portrait incorporates certain elements of pictorial portraiture. Photography is inspired by painting, and features such as the lighting and the half-length pose of the subject reflect traits found along the continuum defined by painting, intersecting with the realm of photography. Today, portrait photography is about capturing the image of an individual with the aim of revealing their personality. According to Richard Avedon¹, a photographic portrait encompasses not just the subject's appearance but also their conscious actions in response to being photographed.  As a headshot and portrait photographer, the challenge is to capture the "essence" or character of the subject in a fraction of a second. However, the simplicity of capturing a person's essence through portrait photography is a relatively recent development.

“What started out as a simple printing process has become one of the most popular forms of art and communication in the world”

1. Richard Avedon (1923-2004) was an influential American fashion and portrait photographer known for his iconic and dynamic black and white images that capture the essence of his subjects. His work revolutionised fashion photography and redefined portraiture with his distinctive style and innovative approach.

2004, Barack Obama photographed by Richard Avedon

1839, Robert Cornelius's Self-Portrait

Photography revolutionised portraiture, making it accessible beyond the upper classes. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's 1826 photograph marked the beginning of photography, which evolved with Louis J.M. Daguerre's daguerreotype² in 1839. Robert Cornelius took the first successful portrait in 1839, albeit with long exposure times. Despite the challenges, the daguerreotype became a form of creative expression by the late 1840s. With improved equipment in the late 1800s, photography became popular with amateurs, leading to calls for it to be recognised as an art form. This sparked the Pictorialism movement in the 1860s, followed by milestones such as the introduction of colour photography in 1861.

The famous 1868 portrait of Ulysses S Grant shows the Civil War general and US President with a stoic and commanding presence, reflecting his pivotal role in American history through military leadership and political significance. Conversely, the 1941 portrait of Winston Churchill depicts the British Prime Minister as a determined and resolute leader during the Second World War, symbolising his leadership in rallying the British people and leading the Allied effort against Nazi Germany. 

In a colourful 1943 portrait, future US President Dwight D. Eisenhower is shown as a confident and composed military commander during the Second World War, demonstrating his strategic leadership and diplomatic skills in securing the Allied victory in Europe. Each portrait captures the unique personalities and historical contexts of Grant, Churchill and Eisenhower, highlighting their influential roles at times of significant global conflict and change.

In another notable portrait by Platon from 2007, Vladimir Putin is portrayed in a stern and authoritative manner, emphasising his political power and control, reflecting his dominant role in Russian politics. In contrast, Annie Leibovitz’s³ 2017 portrait of Barack Obama portrays the former US President with a relaxed and contemplative expression, showcasing his approachable and charismatic personality. Leibovitz's portrait underscores Obama's inclusive leadership style and emphasis on empathy and understanding. Both portraits offer distinct representations of their respective leaders, reflecting their individual personalities and political contexts. Putin's portrait emphasises strength and control, while Obama's emphasises empathy and inclusiveness.

2. A daguerreotype is an early type of photograph made on a silver or silver-coated copper plate. Invented by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre in the 1830s, it was the first commercially successful photographic process. Known for their detail and clarity, daguerreotypes are unique, one-of-a-kind images created directly on the plate and cannot be reproduced like modern photographs.

3. Annie Leibovitz is a renowned American portrait photographer known for her compelling and iconic images of celebrities, cultural figures and political leaders. Her distinctive style blends artistic vision with intimate storytelling, capturing subjects in striking and often unexpected ways. Annie Leibovitz is considered a “living legend” by the US Library of Congress.

Portrait Power-ups: What Makes a Leader Frame-worthy:

• Authenticity: The portrait should authentically represent the leader, capturing his or her unique features and expressions in a genuine way.
• Presence: The leader's presence should be palpable in the portrait, conveying a sense of authority, confidence, and charisma.
• Symbolism: Depending on the context, the portrait may include symbolic elements that reflect the leader's achievements, values or cultural significance.
• Connection: The portrait should create a connection between the leader and the viewer, evoking emotions or thoughts that resonate with the audience.
• Timelessness: A successful portrait of a leader transcends time, remaining relevant and impactful over the years.
• Depth: The portrait should convey depth and complexity, offering insights into the leader's character, emotions and motivations.
• Composition: The composition of the portrait should be carefully considered, framing the leader in a way that enhances his or her presence and significance.
• Context: The portrait should be contextualised within the leader's environment or sphere of influence, adding layers of meaning and understanding.
• Legacy: The portrait may also reflect the leader's legacy or aspirations, hinting at his or her impact on history or vision for the future.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Like painting, photography can be considered a form of art. Both the painter and the photographer use techniques that enhance their style and their way of interpreting the subject. Performing a portrait does not simply mean depicting a face or a figure, but presupposes a relationship between the artist and the person portrayed.

Therefore, empathising with the subject placed in front of the photographer's lens or the painter's canvas allows one to draw a continuous thread in which the image and the meaning behind it are interpreted in the same way by the three actors of this visual story: the artist, the subject of the portrait and the person who observes it.

Today, even in times of conflict, contemporary leaders seek to convey and shape their public image through portraiture. The Vogue photo shoot by Annie Leibovitz in July 2022 is an example. In this photo shoot, both President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska pose in various locations, looking determined. They use powerful imagery to portray Zelensky as a resolute leader amidst the devastation of war. 

Leibovitz's signature style, which focuses on capturing raw emotion and vulnerability, adds depth to the portraits. While not everyone agreed with the artistic choices, these photographs undeniably helped to shape the public perception of Zelensky as a courageous figure at the centre of a historic conflict.

Despite being faced with challenging situations or conflicts, all the leaders examined recognised the importance of communication and understanding their personality. The use of portraits allows them to present a visual representation that goes beyond a simple physical likeness; it aims to give observers insights into the leader's character, emotions and values. By carefully crafting their image, modern leaders seek to influence public perceptions and connect with audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of who they are as individuals and as leaders. 

“In a portrait, you have room to have a point of view and to be conceptual with a picture. The image may not be literally what's going on, but it's representative”. (Annie Leibovitz)

Story by  Staff Sergeant  ITA Army  Marco ORRÙ  - NRDC-ITA Public Affairs Office