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John Howard Sanden with portrait of Chancellor James Moeser, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

6 Hallmarks of Quality in a Portrait

By John Howard Sanden, Portraits, Inc. affiliated artist

What makes a portrait great?  While we may all have different opinions, some paintings do tower over the rest as true masterpieces. They are likely popular and have a strong influence on the work of other artists. Quality portraits transmit the character and human qualities of the subject.

The best portraits have 6 hallmarks of quality in common:

1. Realism – This is the first and most fundamental quality of a portrait. It strives to tell the truth and to give us a vivid portrayal of a real person at a specific moment in time.
2. Simplicity – A portrait masterpiece should stand clear and distinct in the mind’s eye, even after we are no longer looking at it.
3. Vitality – A portrait should strive to capture the essence, or vitality, of its subject. It achieves this purpose when it becomes the vivid recreation of a real human being.
4. Dignity – A quality portrait invariably has an air of dignity and reserve. It should never be frivolous. The most memorable portraits capture the heroism and majesty of human nature.
5. Style – This is the signature quality every artist imparts to his work. You can always spot a Rembrandt, a Rubens or a Gainsborough by the hallmark of the artist’s style.
6. Craftmanship – The conscientious artist uses the finest obtainable materials in his commissioned work and observes time-tested traditional procedures.

John Howard Sanden was a lecturer on portraiture at the Art Students League for 25 years. He is the author of five books on portrait painting and widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost portrait artists. He has completed more than five hundred portraits of prominent figures in American public, professional and business life.

As the world’s oldest and largest portrait company, Portraits Inc. is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. With a network of sales associates across the country, Portraits, Inc. represents America's finest portrait artists offering a range of styles and prices. Founded in 1942, Portraits Inc. is recognized as the industry leader and expert in commissioned portraits for clientele that includes the foremost names in the worlds of business, the professions, the arts, academia and society.