Why so many self-portraits?
While the popular interpretation is that these images represent a personal and introspective journey, it is also the case that they were painted to satisfy a market for self-portraits by prominent artists. Both paintings and etchings seem to have often been bought by collectors, and while some of the etchings are very rare, others were printed in considerable numbers for the time. No self-portraits were listed in the famous 1656 inventory, and only a handful of the paintings remained in the family after his death.
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER
Mr Ronnie Ireland
Born and educated in Glasgow Attended Glasgow School of Art graduating in Drawing and Painting. Then a Teaching Qualification from Jordanhill College. Finally, an Honours Degree in Humanities from The Open University.
Taught art, then ran an event company which used my love and knowledge of music in both organising and performing capacities. Drawing and painting throughout this time.
Moved to the south of England, established a career exhibiting my work, teaching my own classes and lecturing about art.
Fascinated by art since childhood, drawing and painting became my way of trying to understand the world. So in my lectures, I focus on the interaction of the WHY and the HOW of the work in question.
GALLERY 
OTHER EVENTS
Society
Mr Sandy Burnett
3 Jul 2025 - 18:45
Online Event
The Age of Jazz
Society
Mrs Imogen Corrigan
8 Sep 2025 - 14:30
Online Event
One of the earliest Netherlandish painters.