hundreds of specimens make dutch portraits by michael mapes

michael mapes collages dutch portraits from a mass of specimens
(above) dutch specimen MT1639 (detail)
all images courtesy of michael mapes

using hundreds of collected specimens — photographic prints, insect pins, gelatin capsules, glass vials and sequins are just a few — american artist michael mapes collages intricately detailed reinterpretations of renowned dutch portraits. deconstructing photos of actual paintings by such masters as rembrandt and nicolaes eliasz pickenoy, mapes recreates the original picture piece by piece, using countless collage materials and even biological findings like eyelashes and hair. the painstaking detail is almost unimaginable; tiny fragments carefully positioned on the tops of pins are complied closely next to each other. from close range, the dissected pixels can be discerned for their type and texture, while at a distance, the entire human likeness becomes clear. ‘of particular importance, mapes considers, is the inclusion of new photos and materials intended to extend the imagined experience of what is captured in the original portrait to suggest the artist’s consideration and processes.’ three of mapes’ works will be in included in the upcoming march 2014 show ‘face to face’ at the yellowstone art museum, MT.

dutch specimen MT1639, 2013
28″w x 34″ h x 3.5″ d
photographic prints, insect pins, pinning foam, gelatin capsules, glass vials, painted canvas, cast resin, pill organizer, plastic specimen bags, cotton thread, costume jewelry, sequins

dutch specimen MT1639 (detail)

case no. 1627; female-dutch, 2013
29″w x 13″ h x 3″ d
photographic prints, insect pins, pinning foam, gelatin capsules, glass vials, optomotrist lens, paint samples, modeling clay, dried botanical matter, fabric, magnifying box, plastic specimen bags, cotton thread

case no. 1627; female-dutch (detail)

dutch female specimen: j, 2013
28″w x 34″ h x 3.5″ d
photographic prints, insect pins, pinning foam, gelatin capsules, glass vials, test tubes, paint samples, cast resin, magnifying boxes, plastic specimen bags, cotton thread

dutch female specimen: j (detail)

dutch specimen MT2, 2013
28″w x 34″ h x 3.5″ d
photographic prints, insect pins, pinning foam, gelatin capsules, glass vials, painted canvas, cast resin, pill organizer, plastic specimen bags, antique optometrist lens, cartography pins, cotton thread, magification boxes, fake pearls

dutch specimen MT2 (detail)