The Power of Portraits

Discover the power of being seen and remembered in The Power of Portraits, a new exhibition opening in the recently renovated Schwartz Galleries of Prints and Drawings at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Encompassing five centuries of artistic innovation, the exhibition presents over 100 works from the DIA’s collection of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs. From European Renaissance portrait prints to contemporary photographs by global artists, the works demonstrate the development of the portrait as a historical, cultural, and aesthetic genre.

The exhibition celebrates the many ways artists have used portraits on paper to explore identity, status, and the stories behind so many compelling faces. The diverse range of media reveals how portraiture has both reflected and shaped power across time. While portraiture in the 1600s was largely reserved for aristocrats, the rise of photography expanded access and enabled broader communities to preserve their likeness, advocate for social justice, and experiment with the possibilities of the medium.

Political figures, cultural icons, and everyday people reveal how portraiture has shaped our understanding of individuals and cultures across generations. The Power of Portraits invites you to experience the art of seeing and being seen in a new light.