Born in 1942, Do Quang Em has become synonymous with the fascinating realistic self-portraits he paints, taking up to a month to complete a single painting.

Working in the style of facing a mirror next to his canvas, Em succeeds in creating compositions that draw you into his work, making one wonder what lies below the surface, what feels and sees.

The time he takes for each painting and thus the patience required for anyone else sitting as a model, limits him almost exclusively to self-portraits or those of his immediate family. Yet, this limitation in some ways becomes liberating, the joy of excelling in this chosen style abundantly clear, Em truly is a "Master of the Portrait".

Image: © Do Quang Em, Arch Angel Gallery