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What’s the first thing you notice when you look at a portrait? In most portraits, the answer to this question should be the subject’s face. While the other elements of the painting may be subordinate, they are still important.

Backgrounds fall into this category of subordinate but important elements to portraits. A neutral background will easily keep the subject as the main focus of the portrait, but detailed backgrounds can help to tell a story.  They can set the context of the person’s life, career or status by including law books, a state seal, a university building, a garden or the interior of a living room. This can be particularly helpful when the portrait includes more than one person. Sometimes a background can help to establish a sense of scale for the figures. For example, in a family portrait, a mother may be sitting on a sofa with her younger children while the oldest child stands by her side. For a corporate portrait, two physicians might be posed as if they were working together in a laboratory.

When meeting with the artist and a Portraits, Inc. associate, backgrounds are always one of the important aspects that is discussed to ensure that the client's expectations are met in the finished portrait.

Portraits, Inc. was founded in 1942 in New York on Park Avenue. Over its 70-year history, Portraits, Inc. has carefully assembled a select group of the world’s foremost portrait artists offering a range of styles and prices. Recognized as the industry leader, Portraits, Inc. provides expert guidance for discerning clients interested in commissioning fine art portraits.