Identity
The qualities and characteristics that make a person who they are.
What is it?
Identity is a theme in art that explores who people are. Artists show identity through portraits, clothing, symbols, and names. The child mummy portrait you saw shows the boy's identity through his white tunic and bullae necklace, which tell us he was a Roman citizen. The portrait itself was meant to preserve his identity after death. In many cultures, portraits help keep a person's memory alive. Picasso's "Seated Woman" (1953) explores identity through fragmented forms, suggesting that a person has many sides.
Why it matters
Art about identity helps us understand ourselves and others. It shows how people want to be remembered and what they value.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more exhibits about identity.
