Miss Manners: Is it narcissistic to display a studio portrait of oneself in the home?

"GENTLE READER: Who, in what you so aptly named the Era of Selfies, will dare to raise the charge of narcissism? And which is more blatant: including yourselves among family in your own living room, or posting it for all the world to see? Showcasing painted portraits of oneself was considered acceptable because they were presumably valued for their artistic merit, rather than their subjects and never mind that the subjects had commissioned them in the first place."

"If you want to be above reproach, Miss Manners suggests that you avoid pictures in which you are shaking hands with the president or displaying the biggest fish you ever caught. But frankly, she doubts that there is much danger these days, when modesty is no longer considered a virtue, but rather an unfortunate lack of self-esteem. DEAR MISS MANNERS: Guests arrived to my dinner party 45 minutes early."

Casual phone selfies have largely replaced the tradition of prominently framed family portraits, though some people still inherit or hang large-format ancestral photos. A couple wonders whether commissioning and displaying a professional portrait would seem narcissistic or continue a multi-generation tradition. The etiquette response notes that in an age of ubiquitous selfies, accusing someone of narcissism for displaying a home portrait is unlikely and that public posting is more ostentatious than private display. Painted portraits were historically accepted for artistic merit despite being commissioned, and obvious boastful images are best avoided. Guests arriving 45 minutes early were seated in the living room.

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