Identity And Identity In Self-Portrait, By Robert Mapplethorpe

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Recommended: The concept of Gender identity

Identity; the meaning of which can represent a number, a name, or an origin. It can be concrete and documented on a social security card or birth certificate. Quite the opposite is the quality of fluidity it offers. Simply from how one presents themselves, their identity can be interpreted and assumed from a passerby’s glance. Femininity characterized by long hair and makeup. A smile projecting happiness, while a scrunched brow displays distress. “Self-Portrait” by Robert Mapplethorpe sets out to illustrate how varying traits, even while on the same subject matter, can change how one perceives another’s gender. However, without the obvious attributes that are stereotypical for one gender, the harsh line dividing masculinity and femininity …show more content…

In the first image of Mapplethorpe, a defined-square jawline, lit cigarette, leather jacket, furrowed brow, and coiffed hair all point in the direction of male. The brow and cigarette can symbolize toughness, which is essential to the stereotypical masculinity in society. In the second image, a longer hairstyle, softer facial expression, presence of makeup including longer eyelashes, and an overall brighter image from the lack of a shirt causes the viewer to relate the picture to the female gender. Along with the makeup, a sense of vulnerability from the lack of a shirt furthers the idea that femininity equals …show more content…

Even just quickly paging through the six images, the viewer will notice how the images are made to look similar and resemble each other; all having a warm tone, hiding the neck region and some hair, and models displaying a neutral expression. Every image is lacking signs to point the viewer to one or the other gender. Looking at the fifth image in the series, the model has red, fuller lips which are more associated with females, yet the structure of their face is squarer like a male’s. In image three, the model has a flat, larger forehead and wideset eyes like a male’s, but again the fuller lips and defined cheekbones point towards

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