Portrait Paintings for Sale | Handpicked Student Originals

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Portrait paintings at the student art market

What springs to mind when you hear the words ‘portrait painting’? Probably the most famous work of portrait painting: Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’. The whole world knows it and puzzles over its enigmatic smile. This shows just how special the appeal of portrait paintings is. Portrait paintings can cast a spell over us that we don’t understand at first glance. We look at them and get a sense of familiarity; it’s as if we know the people depicted or are getting to know them. Sometimes we catch glimpses of similarities to ourselves in the portrait paintings, or we see facial features that make us feel what the person might have felt.

What exactly are portrait paintings?

Portrait paintings are a genre of art that focuses on depicting a person or a group of people. Most often, painted portraits aim to capture the physical appearance, personality and, frequently, the character of the person or people portrayed. In this way, they evoke a wide range of emotions in the viewer: a sense of belonging, fascination and melancholy are just a few examples. Portrait painting has a long tradition in art history, dating back to antiquity. We are all familiar with the classic portrait paintings found in museums and historic castles. These are often what are known as ‘class-based portraits’. This means that the portrait paintings revealed a great deal about the status and rank of the family or the people depicted, and served a representative function. Consequently, hand-painted portraits were not intended for the general population, but were reserved for the nobility and royal families.

During the Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries, portrait painting gradually developed into a genre in its own right. The discovery of the individual was of particular interest to painters of that time. Painters gained more and more artistic freedom and were able to experiment with their portraiture. However, this did little to change the underlying message: the focus remained on the social role of the subjects portrayed.

Over time, and particularly during the modern era, the role of the portrait painting changed, and its artistic value came increasingly to the fore. World-famous portraits, such as *Girl with a Pearl Earring*, demonstrate their artistic diversity.

Types of portrait paintings

There are no limits to the types of portrait paintings. A wide variety of styles and techniques are used in painted portraits. Various materials, such as oil paints, watercolours, pastels or pencil, can be used to create the image. It may be a painting, a drawing or a mixed-media work, complemented by animal motifs – or it may not fit into any clear category at all, but instead be classified under ‘Other’. Furthermore, the subject matter is not restricted: it can be realistic, abstract, expressive or stylised.

The intention behind a portrait painting is as varied as the artists themselves. Famous portraits in art history may capture a person’s outward appearance, but they may also depict their emotions, social status or symbolic significance. Portraits are also commissioned to honour and commemorate important figures, family members or historical personalities. In contemporary art in particular, portrait paintings are used to showcase innovative approaches and interpretations. In doing so, artists break with traditional conventions and seek new forms of expression.

Find portrait paintings online

You’ll also find portrait paintings in the Student Art Market’s collection. Our artists show you just how modern, classical, abstract and, above all, unique a painted portrait can be. All you need to do is go to our tab with the filter function and tick ‘Subject’ under ‘Portrait’. After that, all you need to do is let these special works speak to you.

Portrait painting as an art form in its own right and what it does for us

Portrait paintings have a very special effect on us and possess a charm all of their own. Through portrait paintings, we can look deep into the eyes of the people depicted and perhaps even catch a glimpse of their character. Famous portrait paintings such as ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Jan Vermeer or ‘Adele Bloch-Bauer I’ by Gustav Klimt are just two of the countless examples we could mention here. If we gaze at these works of art for a little longer, it is almost as if they harbour a secret. Nevertheless, everyone is free to spin their own story about the person depicted. At their best, portrait paintings can not only capture a person’s outward appearance, but also reveal their inner qualities and their whole being. Furthermore, portrait paintings can also break with conventions and serve as a form of social commentary. For example, by distorting faces or bodies, the focus can be drawn to specific features. Alternatively, the depiction of the subjects can be seen as a critique of, for instance, social norms, consumerism or materialism. What all portrait paintings have in common, however, is that they move us. Be it through identification, pure aesthetic beauty, the capture of human experiences or the expression of emotions.

The Self-Portrait

A very well-known form of portrait painting is the self-portrait. In these works, artists depict themselves, offering a glimpse into their self-perception. This allows viewers to engage even more closely with the artists. What is also fascinating about self-portraits is that there are unique and genuine stories behind the paintings. For example, the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo painted many self-portraits. Her self-portraits offer a deep insight into her life and her perception of herself. Feelings such as loneliness and the fact that she knew herself best were the reasons behind her numerous self-portraits. What was special about Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits was that the focus was not on glorifying herself, but on the radical visualisation of her own reality. To this day, these portrait paintings remain a reflection on pain, love and identity. They challenge gender roles and cultural norms and have had a lasting influence. You can see from this that portrait paintings – and self-portraits in particular – can move us in a very personal way, because we can all recognise something of ourselves in the works.

Abstract portrait paintings

Abstract portrait paintings represent a more modern form of portrait art. They are a captivating art form that transports viewers into a world of subtle expression and creative interpretations. The key difference from traditional portraits is how distinctly they stand apart from them. The focus of the painting is not on a detailed reproduction of reality, but rather on artistic freedom, personality and the emotions intended to be conveyed. This individuality is captured in an abstract manner. To achieve this, artists often employ unconventional techniques, colours, forms and alienation techniques. Due to the highly individualised representation, the uniqueness lies in the fact that the portraits become a mirror of both the artists and the subject depicted – the blurring of boundaries is a clear symbol of this. Abstraction creates even more personal scope for interpretation, allowing viewers to project their own feelings and thoughts onto the image. Likewise, artistic freedom enables emotions to be portrayed even more powerfully in abstract portrait art, leading to a strong connection between the artwork and the viewer.

Buying portrait paintings online

The portrait has been a popular subject in art for ages; it usually captivates with its powerful expression and is therefore highly sought after. If you wish to buy a portrait painting, the first question that arises is ‘where’. Anyone wishing to buy portrait paintings looks for one thing above all else: attraction. As the work often depicts a stranger, it is particularly important that the ‘chemistry is right’. It can often take a long time to find the object of your desire. That’s why it’s worth taking a look at online platforms. Ordering a portrait online can turn into a real treasure hunt there. At the Student Art Market, you’ll find a huge selection of portraits, whether they’re portraits of women or men, abstract artworks or traditional portrait paintings. Here’s a little insight into the selection, so you don’t find it too difficult to find your way around.

Anna Hopfensberger

If you’re looking for colourful and unconventional portraits, you should take a look at the work of the artist Anna Hopfensberger. Her works show that the depiction of the subject can take on a character all of its own. If you find a portrait you like, don’t hesitate for too long, as these portrait paintings are truly one-of-a-kind.

In your Car - Anna Hopfensberger 1

In your Car

61 x 51

€620.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

In your Car

Auf dem Mars würden Menschen schrumpfen - Anna Hopfensberger 3

Auf dem Mars würden Menschen schrumpfen

40 x 30

€450.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Auf dem Mars würden Menschen schrumpfen

Beim Domvikar - Anna Hopfensberger 2

Beim Domvikar

40 x 30

€450.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Beim Domvikar

Das berüchtigte Trikot Nr. 47 - Anna Hopfensberger 1

Das berüchtigte Trikot Nr. 47

90 x 110

€950.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Das berüchtigte Trikot Nr. 47

Das Frühstücksei - Anna Hopfensberger 2

Das Frühstücksei

20 x 20

€170.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Das Frühstücksei

Das Pferd - Anna Hopfensberger 1

Das Pferd

20 x 20

€230.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Das Pferd

Das Totemtier - Anna Hopfensberger 1

Das Totemtier

90 x 80

€930.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Das Totemtier

Der Affe - Anna Hopfensberger 1

Der Affe

101 x 91

€1,550.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Der Affe

Der gelbe Vogel im Vordergrund - Anna Hopfensberger 2

Der gelbe Vogel im Vordergrund

40 x 30

€400.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Der gelbe Vogel im Vordergrund

Der Granatapfel - Anna Hopfensberger 3

Der Granatapfel

15 x 15

€170.00*

Anna Hopfensberger

Der Granatapfel

Paul Schäfer

If you’re looking for painted portraits with a rather melancholic feel, then Paul Schäfer would be your perfect match! He combines classical elements and motifs, techniques from Renaissance and Baroque painting, and modern values with destructive aspects. His works have a charm all of their own, and you have to engage with them to understand them.

SOLD

Artists Memory - Paul Schäfer 1

Artists Memory

95 x 80

€900.00*

Artists Memory

SOLD

B-66 - Paul Schäfer 1

B-66

110 x 90

€2,000.00*

B-66

SOLD

B25 - Paul Schäfer 1

B25

80 x 100

€1,700.00*

B25

SOLD

Back1

40 x 31.5

€150.00*

Back1

SOLD

Black Portrait - Paul Schäfer 1

Black Portrait

100 x 80

€1,400.00*

Black Portrait

SOLD

Black X - Paul Schäfer 4

Black X

100 x 80

€1,700.00*

Black X

SOLD

Blue Portrait

100 x 80

€900.00*

Blue Portrait

SOLD

Blue Silence - Paul Schäfer 1

Blue Silence

100 x 80

€1,400.00*

Blue Silence

SOLD

BX25 - Paul Schäfer 1

BX25

100 x 80

€1,500.00*

BX25

SOLD

BXC40 - Paul Schäfer 1

BXC40

100 x 80

€1,700.00*

BXC40

Leonel Perez

Whilst we’re on the subject of emotional portraits: Leonel Perez captures the individuality of emotions in his abstract art. Through interconnected individual brushstrokes, he skilfully conveys emotions. In doing so, Leonel transports you to a world full of gloom, ecstasy, human beauty and inner experience.

(Ad)dressing Chat GPT

(Ad)dressing Chat GPT

150 x 100

€1,000.00*

(Ad)dressing Chat GPT

SOLD

(Sketch) The Lovers

(Sketch) The Lovers

€150.00*

(Sketch) The Lovers

SOLD

1000 Prozent Gelb - Leonel Perez 1

1000 Prozent Gelb

70 x 50

€600.00*

1000 Prozent Gelb

SOLD

1000 Prozent Rot - Leonel Perez 1

1000 Prozent Rot

70 x 50

€600.00*

1000 Prozent Rot

A critic of the traditional muse II. Or. Marie neglecting. - Leonel Perez 1

A critic of the traditional muse II. Or. Marie neglecting.

100 x 84

€1,500.00*

A critic of the traditional muse II. Or. Marie neglecting.

SOLD

A critic on the traditional Muse. Or. Dora neglecting. - Leonel Perez 1

A critic on the traditional Muse. Or. Dora neglecting.

100 x 80

€1,500.00*

A critic on the traditional Muse. Or. Dora neglecting.

Abstarktes Portrait in Pink II - Leonel Perez 1

Abstarktes Portrait in Pink II

24 x 18

€350.00*

Abstarktes Portrait in Pink II

SOLD

Abstract Study

40 x 30

€200.00*

Abstract Study

Abstraktes Portrait in Pink I - Leonel Perez 1

Abstraktes Portrait in Pink I

24 x 18

€350.00*

Abstraktes Portrait in Pink I

Abstraktes Portrait in Pink III - Leonel Perez 1

Abstraktes Portrait in Pink III

24 x 18

€350.00*

Abstraktes Portrait in Pink III

Perhaps these three different artists, with their varied approaches to portrait painting, have inspired you to take a closer look at portrait painting.