In a Sea of Selfies, the Painted Portrait Is Making a Comeback
Or: How to Survive the Era of Filters and Truly See Yourself— on Canvas.
Yes, you read that right. While the world is flooded with selfies, stories, duck faces, and bunny ears, something unexpected is happening: people are craving something real. Something that lasts.
The commissioned portrait is enjoying a renaissance. And surprisingly, it’s not just nostalgic collectors looking for it—digital natives are increasingly seeking portraits made by real hands on real canvas.
This trend has even caught the attention of major news outlets:
👉 Il Sole 24 Ore – Fra miliardi di selfie, torna di moda farsi fare un ritratto dipinto
And internationally:
👉 The Guardian – ‘Oh my god, I am beautiful’: the people who pay to have their portrait painted
Why? Because We Want to Be Seen—and Remembered.
A selfie lasts a day. A portrait, a lifetime.
It’s something you hang, pass down, contemplate.
It doesn’t disappear in 24 hours. In fact, it grows more powerful over time.
And let’s face it: there’s something deeply human about knowing that someone looked at you long enough to paint you. Not to capture, but to understand. A slow image made of brushstrokes, shadow, and soul.
In My Studio, Every Portrait Is a Journey
Love stories, milestones, births, celebrations.
I work with oil and palette knife, using pixels, color fragments, and layers of meaning. But most of all, I work with attention.
I always start from a photo, but I’m not looking to copy it: what I paint emerges from what I perceive—sometimes even unconsciously—behind the gaze. Subtle tones, silences, and truths that remain even after the pose is gone.
And more often than not, when the portrait is revealed, someone says:
“I’ve never seen myself like this before.”
And that’s when I know the painting has done its job.
A Growing Trend (Even in Unexpected Places)
In 2025, art platforms and social media are seeing a surge in interest for custom-made portraits. Keywords? “Commissioned portrait”, “personalized art”, “authentic gift.”
Some people commission them as anniversary gifts. Others want to add depth to their home decor.
Even luxury hotels—from Milan to Las Vegas—are starting to offer themed portraits for VIP guests. Forget the minibar.
Want to Know More About Commissioned Portraits?
👉 Find out how a custom art commission works
Here you’ll find everything you need: how it works, what to expect, and some examples of portraits I’ve created.
In a Fast World, the Portrait Is Time That Stands Still
It’s not just an object—it’s an experience.
A moment to truly see yourself.
To be told, through color and gesture.
To know that even in a sea of images, you’re worth a unique work of art.
🎨 Would you love a portrait that tells your story through color and texture?
Let’s talk. Whether it’s a gift, a self-portrait, or something totally personal, I’m here.
Palette knife in hand. Focused and ready.
