Portrait Painters along Jalan Bukit Bintang

Historically, portrait paintings have primarily memorialized the rich and powerful. Over time, however, it became more common for middle-class patrons to commission portraits of their families and colleagues. Today, portrait paintings are still commissioned by governments, corporations, groups, clubs, and individuals.

One evening, my wife and I went out for a walk in Jalan Bukit Bintang where we saw a line of portrait artists doing their actual works on the sidewalk. We couldn’t help but stop, marvel and appreciate their skill and art shown publicly.

Portrait painting is a genre in painting, where the intent is to depict the visual appearance of the subject. The term is usually applied to the depiction of human subjects. In addition to painting, portraits can also be made in other media such as etching, lithography, photography, video and digital media.

The term ‘portrait painting’ can also describe the actual painted portrait. Portraitists may create their work by commission, for public and private persons, or they may be inspired by admiration or affection for the subject. Portraits are often important state and family records, as well as remembrances.