“Timeless” — The Art of Portraiture by Riccardo Riande

Before photography, it was with a canvas, brushes, and colours that artists recreated the light and spark they encountered. Today, Riccardo Riande brings the paintings from the past into photography of the future.

The Roman poet Horace once said that “a picture is a poem without words.” The workmanship and proficiency of masters like Caravaggio, Frida Kahlo, Gustav Klimt, and Jan Vermeer have inspired many and impacted our culture in a unique way. Just like a poem, their images have influenced various artists and shaped diverse projects and ideas.

“Timeless’” is Riccardo Riande’s tribute to these great painters.

The Italian portrait photographer was particularly impressed by the ability of these artists to build light with only a canvas, a palette of colors, and a brush. In a time where Photoshop or processors were not a reality, it took great craft and talent to capture someone’s portrait. With his project, Riande aims to showcase the immortal craftsmanship in a painting through the lens of a photographer.

While experimenting some looks with the model Ludovica Quercioli, Riccardo came up with the idea of creating a series of portraits that were different from the rest and that also payed homage to the artists he adored.

Collaborating with young Italian actors, he started recreating renown paintings from the History of Art and what would then become “Timeless”.

The project took shape in four parts. Riccardo and his team first started looking for faces that would do justice to the paintings selected, then moved on to searching and culling similar costumes to match, and at last, make-up artists made sure the models looked as similar as possible to the subject in the paintings.

After the shoot, final touches were given in post-editing.

Riccardo Riande is a photographer and award-winning filmmaker based in Rome. Some of his photography clients include fashion and entertainment agencies. Whereas as a filmmaker, he is involved in the direction of web series, short films, and music videos.

For more of the photographer’s work, visit his Cherrydeck profile or his website, here. To see more nostalgic and painting-like photography, check out the interview with Teresa Freitas, here.?

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