Self-portrait In A Convex Manner

Made from bits of Renaissance paintings in the collection of Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

Made from bits of Renaissance masters in the permanent collection of Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, ‘Self-Portrait In A Convex Manner’ is an animated 3D collage by artist strayltd

The convex swing of a camera uncovers a wildly awkward creature tentatively consoling their inner refinement, and giving centre stage to the imperfections that are the signature of the artist’s psyche

With crudely cut and haphazardly assembled collage pieces that find their partners through free association, this collage is a perfect example of the consistent working practice of strayltd. And, in a progressive step forward, pieces of collage have also been folded and stretched through 3D space and manipulated with code to create an artwork of great expression

‘Self-Portrait In A Convex Manner’ is also a reimagining of the similarly titled ‘Self-Portrait In A Convex Mirror’, by Renaissance painter Parmigianino. Showcasing his talent and impressing wealthy benefactors, Parmigianino subverted the perfection of the High Renaissance by painting elongated and outsized limbs; traits that became synonymous with Mannerism. ‘Self-Portrait In A Convex Manner’ has been created to mirror these historical traits to showcase the talent of strayltd, subvert the precision and perfection of our modern digital age, while shamelessly trying to impress the museum’s jury

Parmigianino did not succeed in his attempt to gain favour with the Pope, but his self-portrait did go on to be included in the collections of Alessandro Vittoria, Emperor Rudolf II, and the Habsburg imperial collections in Vienna

Self-Portrait In A Convex Manner is the winner of the KHM Wien portrait open call, marking an important step for cryptoart and the museum, as well as for the artist and his collectors. The first edition of this artwork will be held in the permanent collection of Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, while the second edition will be available at auction for one lucky collector

Discipline: Digital collage, 3D animation and a line of code

File type: MPG4 video

Resolution: 3840 x 2160

Source material:
Jupiter and Io - Antonio Allegri, gen. Correggio

Maria and Child - Antonello da Messina

Summer - Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Adoration of the Magi - Jacopo da Ponte, gen. Jacopo Bassano

Depiction of Christ in the Temple - Baccio della Porta, gen. Fra Bartolomeo

Fire - Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Lucretia - Paolo Caliari, gen. Veronese

Saint Justina, Venerated by a Donor - Alessandro Bonvicino, gen. Moretto da Brescia

Portrait of a young man in front of a white curtain - Lorenzo Lotto

The Three Philosophers - Giorgio da Castelfranco, gen. Giorgione

Laura - Giorgio da Castelfranco, gen. Giorgione

Saint Sebastian - Andrea Mantegna

The Orator Giovan Pietro Maffeis - Giovanni Battista Moroni

Maria with the Child and Saint Katharina and Thomas

Self-Portrait In A Convex Mirror - Francesco Mazzola gen. Parmigianino

Bow-carving Amor - Francesco Mazzola gen. Parmigianino

Susanna Bathing - Jacopo Robusti, gen. Tintoretto

The Madonna of the Meadow - Raffaello Santi gen. Raffael

Madonna of the Cherries - Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Titian

Bravo - Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Titian

Nymph and Shepherd - Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Titian

Ecce Homo - Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Titian

Mars, Venus and Amor - Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Titian (and studio)

Jacopo Strada - Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Titian