Questions about Auerbach and Opie's Artwork

What effect does Auerbach's use of line produce?

How does the use of line in Opie's self-portrait help us pay attention to the shapes of his body and his pose?

Describe the artistic style of Julian Opie.

Explain the significance of the layers of marks and lines in Auerbach's drawing.

Who decided to make the portrait – the artist, the sitter, or was it commissioned by the Gallery or someone else?

Why was the portrait made – to celebrate a particular achievement of the sitter? For a book or magazine? Or perhaps the artist is exploring their own feelings or identity through a self-portrait.

Is this typical of the artist’s usual style, or have they experimented with new materials or techniques?

What else was happening at the time it was made? A self-portrait made by a female artist today might carry a very different meaning to one made in the early 1800s, for example, when women had much less freedom or independence.