Question

Untitled (#228), from the History Portraits series Cindy Sherman. Rome, Italy. 1990 C.E. Photograph She draws attention to the staged and often mannered nature of historical portrait paintings, while also playfully mocking the discipline of art history. What is the purpose of Cindy Sherman's photograph from the History Portraits series?

1) To draw attention to the staged and often mannered nature of historical portrait paintings
2) To mock the discipline of art history
3) To depict the city of Rome, Italy
4) To explore the concept of identity in photography

Answer 1

Cindy Sherman's photograph from the History Portraits series serves to draw attention to the staged nature of historical portrait paintings and playfully mocks art history. Sherman also explores the concept of identity in photography.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of Cindy Sherman's photograph from the History Portraits series is to draw attention to the staged and often mannered nature of historical portrait paintings. By depicting herself in various historical personas and settings, Sherman challenges the authenticity and objectivity of traditional portraiture. She also playfully mocks the discipline of art history by intentionally borrowing from and reinterpreting well-known historical paintings. Through her photographs, Sherman explores themes of identity and self-representation in photography.