Self Portrait as Self Promotion

 Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)
Painting: Self-Portrait at 28
1500

Durer was a German painter and etcher. He painted his own image many times. His Self-Portrait at 28 is probably his most famous self portrait. You will also notice that he has signed this painting with a monogram, which is like a personal logo made from the initial(s) of ones name.

Questions:

What do you think Durer is trying to say about himself in this painting?

Who has he fashioned himself in the likeness of?

Does he look rich or poor?

Do you think the inclusion of his hand has significance?

Task:

Examine the monograms of other artists and fashion designers, such as Egon Schiele, Louis Vuitton, and Coco Chanel. Create a long list of famous monograms and use these for your inspiration.

Combine, overlap, resize and squash your initials in different ways in order to create your own monogram.