The artwork titled “History Portrait #224” was created by Cindy Sherman in 1990. It belongs to the Feminist Art movement and is part of the “History Portraits” series, produced between 1988 and 1990. The genre of this artwork is photographic.
In the artwork, a figure dressed in what appears to be classical attire mimicking a historic painting sits against a dark background, holding a bunch of green grapes in one hand while another bunch along with other grapes is placed on the table before them. The figure’s face is painted with distinct makeup, accentuating their features and giving them an almost theatrical look. A wreath of ivy adorns their head, adding to the classical theme. The overall composition and the use of props reference traditional portraiture and art historical themes, rendered through Sherman’s characteristic use of disguise and role-playing to explore identity, gender, and social norms.
