My first camera was an Asahi Pentax given to me by my mother when I was 17 in 1968. One of the initial shots I took was a self-portrait in my parents' room, wearing a blue sweater which I still vividly remember. From that moment on, I began my photographic journey, capturing the intricate details and shadows of the world around me. I remember my first enlarger, which was round, and the first time I created a rayograph. While I never enjoyed taking portraits, I preferred capturing candid photographs of people in their natural state, capturing their expressions and moments. I even took photographs of my friends and family. I made a series of self-portraits that were actually true stories. I prepared the staging for each photo and used a remote control to take the shots of myself, sometimes with makeup on and sometimes without, often naked. I then worked on the photos by creating collages.  In this regard, regarding disguise, I am reminded of Cindy Sherman's photographs.

During those days, narcissism was not a common topic and it was not considered a prevalent issue. People didn't talk much about self-promotion or self-centeredness either. For photographers, taking pictures of oneself mostly involved trying out different techniques and lighting setups to improve their craft. It was possible to express oneself and bare one's own soul through art, as seen in the works of Francesca Woodman and Nan Goldin's self-portrait with a black eye.

In 1978, during my performance called "Punto di Vista del Gioco", I used a photo of myself wearing beauty cream on my face with my hair pulled back, which was supposed to accentuate my worst appearance. However, a critic who participated in the performance interpreted the image as a reflection of a disruptive personality and a kind of exaltation of beauty. In short, it was viewed as a "narcissistic" image. During the performance, I had left only traces of my life, my dreams, and myself. I only appeared at the end, waving from the balcony like a red Marilyn Monroe.

However, expressing oneself through art always carries the risk of being accused of narcissism. Sometimes, the relentless use of one's own image only showcases the artist's fragility and difficulty in fitting into the external reality. In a word, it is uncomfortable. The market often engulfs and distorts the starting point, using the artist for its own purposes. The suicide of American photographer Francesca Woodman (1958-1981) is emblematic.

Every artist, by definition, seeks to express themselves through their chosen medium. Whether it's a painter, a photographer, or a writer, their work is an extension of their innermost thoughts and feelings, a reflection of who they are. Even when they create characters or tell stories that seem to be completely unrelated to their own lives, they are still drawing on their own experiences and perspectives. For instance, it's rare to find a painter who has never created a self-portrait or a photographer who has never taken a self-portrait. Similarly, writers often use their own lives as inspiration for their work, even if they disguise it through the use of characters and plot twists. Ultimately, every artist's work is a glimpse into their soul, a way of communicating their unique perspective with the world.

In ancient art, there are self-portraits of famous painters such as Raphael, Leonardo, Signorelli, and Beato Angelico. Some of them even appear in the middle of their own paintings. With Rembrandt, you can see the story of the artist's life through his self-portraits. He doesn't hesitate to show himself as a young and successful man, as well as an older, bitter one. Renato Guttuso smoking furiously and Salvador Dali with the palette of a Renaissance Seraphic are both witnesses of their own time.

Contemporary art has been heavily influenced by photography and cinema, which is evident in works such as Lucian Freud's violent self-portraits and David Hockney's self-portrait with Red Suspenders. This art form reveals the truth without any filters and is often a reflection of the present time. It is like a mirror that reflects our stories and the era we live in, with a hint of irony.

Figurative narcissism is distinct from conceit or neurotic disease. It involves an inner need, and we must be cautious not to transform it into a superficial "athletic" proposal of appearing a certain way, as is happening in today's consumer culture. In a self-portrait, an artist depicts themselves as they desire to be seen, revealing something deeply personal that they may be unable to articulate through words. For instance, I am reminded of the stunning self-portraits captured by the American photographer, Diane Arbus (1923-1971) holding her daughter, Doon, in her arms. It is worth noting that Doon has continued to display immense love for her mother through various posthumous publications and exhibitions.

And speaking of street photographers I cannot but recall the self-portrait of Daido Moriyama: Self- Portrait with Dogs, 1997

However, since the year 2000, things have changed. The self-portrait has vanished, making way for the selfie. Unfortunately, selfies only glorify one's appearance without any real substance or depth. In contrast to a selfie, a self-portrait is a beautiful photograph that reflects the personality of the author. Capturing a good self-portrait is challenging, but when achieved, it reveals something significant about the photographer. 

Batsceba Hardy