Önarckép

Önarckép is a self-portrait, a depiction of the artist created by the artist themselves. In Hungarian, ön means “self” and arckép means “portrait.” Throughout art history, self-portraits have served as a means to observe one’s own appearance, test technique, and articulate identity. The genre gained particular prominence in Europe during the Renaissance, with painters such as Albrecht Dürer and later Rembrandt, who used self-portraits to demonstrate skill, explore psychological states, and position themselves within the art world. In subsequent centuries, self-portraits expanded to many forms, including oil painting, drawing, etching, sculpture, photography, and, more recently, digital media.

Devices and approaches vary: some artists work from a mirror, others from memory or reference, and the portrait may be idealized, flattering, or intentionally revealing flaws. Self-portraits can function as personal records, social commentary, or experiments with form, lighting, and symbolism. They may convey status, emotion, or narratives about the artist’s life, age, or role in society.

In Hungary, as in broader European art, önarckép has appeared across periods—from religious and secular painting to modern and contemporary art—reflecting changing concepts of the artist’s identity and the relationship between artist and viewer. Today, self-portrait remains a common genre in photography and multimedia practices, allowing artists to explore subjectivity in new media.