Portraits

Painted and photographic portraits, self-portraits and the people represented in them. Interviews, exhibitions and auction reports explore how artists depict identity and presence, from historical commissions to contemporary portraits and photographs of other artists.

The Merchant House Presents André de Jong Exhibition Featuring Portraits of Beppie Gielkens During Amsterdam Art Week 2026

Rows of black-and-white abstract drawings displayed on a wall at The Merchant House.

With André de Jong and His Theater, The Merchant House (TMH) is pleased to present new works by the distinguished Dutch artist André de Jong (b. 1947). His fifth major exhibition at TMH, it reflects one of the most prolific periods of his career—which has encompassed drawing as well as photography, sculpture, and land art—and poses the question: What is it about drawing, above all, that has continued to fascinate André de Jong for over five decades?

Whistler’s First Portrait Commission Sells for Five Times Estimate, Fetching $495,000

Cropped view of Whistler’s Portrait of Lucas Alexander Ionides, showing his dark hair and full beard.

When a long-hidden portrait by James McNeill Whistler—his very first commissioned work—resurfaced after nearly six decades in private hands, it sparked a frenzy that few in the art world saw coming. Auctioned for over five times its estimate, the painting’s dramatic return to the spotlight is more than just a story of numbers. Behind the canvas lies a deeply personal connection between the young artist and the Ionides family, early patrons who helped shape his rise to fame. From its quiet presence in Victorian homes to its record-breaking moment at Bonhams, this extraordinary work carries with it a rich legacy waiting to be uncovered.

Asil Anom: A Critic’s Perspective on Origin, Reflection, and the End of Clarity

An Asil Anom print combining an upward-looking female face with a bearded classical bust.

At first glance, Asil Anom appears to be a cryptic artistic invention, a name shrouded in mystery. However, when read in reverse, it unveils its hidden reference: Mona Lisa. This simple inversion serves as the gateway to a body of work that engages with themes of mirror, inversion, and reflection while moving beyond mere homage to Leonardo da Vinci’s most enigmatic portrait. Rather than being a citation, Asil Anom represents a profound transformation.

African Artist Sekoto Shatters Expectations at Auction, Selling for Over Half a Million USD—Four Times the Estimate

Detail of Gerard Sekoto’s The Artist’s Brother: a seated man in a white shirt holding a newspaper.

The late South African artist Gerard Sekoto has once again proven his lasting impact on the art world, with his masterpiece The Artist’s Brother selling for an astonishing £406,000 ($528,000) at Bonhams’ Modern & Contemporary African Art sale—more than four times its original estimate of £100,000-150,000 ($130,000-195,000).

Extraordinary 14th Dalai Lama Enthronement Art and Archive to Be Sold at Historic Auction

Portrait by Krishna Kanwal of the young Dalai Lama wearing a yellow ceremonial hat and seated behind a white cloth.

A long-lost collection of rare artworks and artifacts from the enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama is about to make history at Bonhams. Featuring never-before-auctioned watercolours, personal archives, and cinematic footage from Sir Basil Gould’s diplomatic mission to Tibet, this extraordinary sale offers an intimate glimpse into one of the most pivotal moments in Tibetan history. With collectors and historians eagerly anticipating the event, the significance of these treasures cannot be overstated.

Christian Parisot Unveils Volume VI of Modigliani’s Biography and Catalogue Raisonné

Cropped cover of Christian Parisot’s Modigliani biography, showing its title and a black-and-white portrait.

Christian Parisot’s “Modigliani – Biographie / Catalogue Raisonné,” Volume VI represents the culmination of decades of meticulous research into the life and work of Amedeo Modigliani. Presented at Palazzo Graziani in San Marino, this 415-page publication not only offers an exhaustive account of Modigliani’s artistic journey but also provides invaluable insights through newly uncovered works and rigorous authenticity analyses. With contributions from renowned scholars and a seamless blend of narrative and archival precision, Parisot’s latest volume stands as an essential resource for both art historians and enthusiasts, solidifying Modigliani’s legacy through a modern lens of scholarship.

Obscure Artist Stuns Auctioneers: Leonardo Guzzardi’s Portrait of Lord Nelson Sells 15 Times Estimate

Detail of Admiral Lord Nelson in naval uniform with a red sash, from Leonardo Guzzardi’s portrait.

In a stunning turn of events, a rare portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson by the little-known Italian artist Leonardo Guzzardi sold for £94,380 ($120,000) at Bonhams’ Old Master Paintings auction in London, shattering its modest pre-sale estimate of £6,000–£8,000 ($7600–$10,200). The 1799 full-length depiction of Nelson in naval dress, set against a dramatic maritime backdrop, captivated bidders and underscored a growing appetite for rediscovered works by overlooked artists. Guzzardi, a relatively obscure figure believed to have worked for the Neapolitan Court, has gained renewed attention for his raw, realistic portrayals of the famed British naval hero, marking this sale as both a market surprise and a testament to the timeless allure of historical portraiture.

Jessica Dismorr’s Self-Portrait Sets New Auction World Record at Bonhams

Detail of Jessica Dismorr’s Woman Seated (Self-Portrait), showing a woman holding a pencil beside a window.

Jessica Dismorr, a pioneering figure in British modern art, has achieved a new auction world record at Bonhams’ recent Blazing a Trail: Modern British Women auction. The sale, which ran online from September 9 to 18, showcased the largest known private collection of works by Dismorr, with the centerpiece, Woman Seated (Self-Portrait), selling for £57,600 (approximately $73,000). The final price far surpassed its pre-sale estimate of £4,000–6,000 (approximately $5,000–$7,600), cementing Dismorr’s position as a significant figure in 20th-century art.

Pollock, Basquiat, Warhol, Twombly Headline Monumental Phillips Auction

Composite of a Pollock drip painting with details from Basquiat’s and Warhol’s self-portraits.

Phillips is set to command the art world’s attention with its upcoming November Evening Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art in New York. The highly anticipated event, scheduled for November 19 at their prestigious 432 Park Avenue location, will present 33 carefully curated works that bridge the gap between celebrated modern masters and contemporary visionaries. The sale is headlined by Jackson Pollock’s Untitled, circa 1948, a landmark piece from his groundbreaking drip painting period, and features rare double self-portraits by both Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, offered together for the first time at auction. Additional highlights include Cy Twombly’s mythologically charged Crimes of Passion I and a striking array of works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, making this event a must-see for collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.

Behind the Lens: Exclusive Interview with New York Photographer Evelyn Freja | Part 2

Black-and-white self-portrait of Evelyn Freja lying across a fallen tree trunk in a wooded setting.

“I recently had a photoshoot of two famous actors in their hotel room, promoting a movie that recently came out. I was supposed to have 30 minutes with them, but they were incredibly rude to my photo assistant and me and ended up leaving after just 3 minutes. I had only managed to get a handful of photos and ended up crying in the hotel bathroom while my assistant helped pack up.” In Part 2 of our exclusive interview with New York photographer Evelyn Freja, we delve deeper into her journey, exploring the experiences and philosophies that shape her artistic vision. Evelyn opens up about the challenges of working in a highly competitive industry, her approach to capturing genuine moments, and the surprising lessons she’s learned along the way.