Artist Details
| Artist Name | Mary Elizabeth (Emmy) Gifford |
|---|---|
| Born | 1910 in Omaha, Nebraska |
| Died | 1997 in Omaha, Nebraska |
Artist Biography
Painted just one year apart, these two self-portraits by Mary Elizabeth (Emmy) Gifford present a very specific image of the artist. Much like how a celebrity might try and control their public image, artists harness this same power in their self-portraits. In the earlier painting from 1945, Gifford presents a distinguished and confident air, particularly communicated through the way her head tilts slightly back as she coolly gazes off to the left. Her more casual dress acts as a counter and grounds her into a more approachable setting.
The summer portrait from 1946 shares the same boldness and spirit as the earlier painting, but perhaps with an even stronger sense of style and identity. She is at once candid yet composed, an image that she has no doubt meticulously crafted but which still appears authentic. (Emmy
