This fascinating new book explores the world of portraiture from a number of vantage points & asks key questions about its nature. How has portraiture changed over the centuries? How have portraits represented their subjects & how have they been interpreted? Issues of identity modernity & gender are considered within a cultural & historical context. Shearer West uncovers much intriguing detail about a genre that has often been seen as purely representational featuring examples from African tribes to Renaissance princes & from stars such as David & Victoria Beckham to ordinary people. In the process she shows us how to communicate with the past in an exciting new way.