Justina's Writing Corner

The following comparison is with Gustave Courbet’s self portrait The Desperate Man (1843) and a instagram selfie of Donald Trump with Megyn Kelly (an American journalist and attorney).

The Desperate Man is a self-portrait that captures an huge inner turmoil and vulnerability of Gustave. His intense gaze, furrowed brow, and dramatic brushwork of his hair create an atmosphere of high negative emotion. His figure fills the canvas and confronts the viewer (which is me) very directly. This directness intensifies his personal anguish and isolation. The shadows and the very rough strokes further emphasizes the stress he is feeling at the moment. 

In contrast, the Instagram selfie of Donald Trump with Megyn Kelly (that was posted on Megyn Kelly’s Instagram) presents a very different kind of self-representation. Here, the (selfie) image is less about exposing raw vulnerability and anger. Instead, it is more about projecting a calculated public persona (the better side of oneself). The selfie is carefully composed. Donald Trump’s expression presents a very confident pose with a slight smile. This posture and facial expression is highly performative but aligns with the modern expectations of public image and media interaction. People who see this photo will definitely not question that Trump seems very confident to lead. The lighting, background, and even the framing, however, does not seem to be that much controlled. One can tell that they took this selfie after the end of a hearing in a mere few seconds before parting ways. This is a stark contrast to the emotional Courbet’s self-portrait where every inch of detail is carefully thought out.

When we compare the two side by side, we can see a stark difference on how each image conveys self-fashioning in its own era. The Desperate Man offers an unfiltered look at the inner conflicts of Gustave. His portrait is marked by intense emotion and a sense of despair (very negative emotions). In  Trump’s selfie, there is less about inner turmoil and more about crafting a strategic image for the public. He hides his emotion and only shows the best of him. Courbet’s brushstrokes reveal a raw authenticity that unsettles viewer with his emotion. However, the selfie’s polished smile seems to mask any underlying vulnerability and only present a well-curated persona. Gustave emphasizes on lighting and background while the instagram selfie seems to disregard them. Both images, however, share a common trait. They seems force the viewer into a direct encounter with the self: whether it is emotionally distress or performing a mask.