Elina BROTHERUS – Self Portraits in Women’s Photography

‘I was inspired by two girls in my class who were already practising self-portraiture. And quite quickly, the practice of this photography became therapeutic. I was a young student and I'd already been through a lot of very difficult things: the death of my parents, my first failed marriage... I had to get rid of all that baggage. So I started to act out all these little events, these emotions in my life, by putting myself on stage. As these were very personal things, I couldn't see myself doing this with someone else, I couldn't get an actress to play my own role. In order to affirm that everything in these photos was true, it had to be me.’ Elina Brotherus in her interview for France Culture in the podcast Affaires Culturelles in Octobre 2023.

Self-portraiture in photography has become a powerful form of expression, particularly for women. It allows women to reclaim their image, challenge societal standards, and assert their own narratives. Through the lens, they can explore themes of identity, body image, and empowerment, often breaking free from traditional portrayals of women in the media. Photographers like Cindy Sherman, whose transformative self-portraits question societal roles and gender stereotypes, Francesca Woodman, with her poetic and intimate images that explore youth and vulnerability, and Sophie Calle, whose autobiographical work examines intimacy and privacy, have all paved the way for new forms of self-representation. These artists have deeply influenced contemporary photographers, including Elina Brotherus, whose own self-portraits draw on themes of solitude, identity, and the body, continuing the tradition of redefining women’s experiences in photography.

In our collection at the European Parliament, we have Elina Brotherus' Wanderlust, a stunning piece inspired by the iconic painting Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer (1818) by Caspar David Friedrich. Just as Friedrich’s work reflects a solitary figure contemplating nature’s vastness, Brotherus uses her self-portrait to explore the intersection of human presence and the sublime, offering a contemporary reflection on the themes of isolation and introspection.

Drawing inspiration from other works of art has always been a powerful force in the history of art, offering artists a way to engage in a dialogue with the past while reinterpreting and transforming it. By referencing iconic pieces, contemporary artists can challenge conventional ideas, explore deeper meanings, and create new contexts for understanding. This connection across time not only enriches the creative process but also allows for the evolution of artistic expression, pushing boundaries and expanding the narrative of art itself.

Many contemporary photographers continue this tradition, including Annie Leibovitz, who often references historical art through her celebrity portraits, Lorna Simpson, whose work engages with historical and cultural narratives, and Shirin Neshat, who blends visual traditions and history to explore themes of identity and gender. These photographers, like Brotherus, find inspiration in the past, using it to reframe and challenge contemporary issues in their work.

Books:

• Brotherus E., Artist and her Model, Le Caillou Bleu, 2012
• Brotherus E., Règle du Jeu, Carte Blanche PMU, 2017
• Brotherus E., Carpe Fucking Diem, Kehrer, 2015
• Brotherus E., The New Painting, Next Level, 2007
• Brotherus E., Les femmes de la Maison Carre, 2015
• Brotherus E., Decisive Days, Pohjoinen, 2002
• Brotherus E., Why Not?, Hirmer, 2020