Theme: Self-portrait

Deadline: October 20, 2025

At a time when over 90 million selfies are taken every single day, an exciting art initiative is inviting us to pause and rethink how we portray ourselves. What if, instead of snapping a quick selfie, we took inspiration from Renaissance portraiture? And what if we could channel the spirit of one of the greatest painters of all time, Raphael, using a tablet?

We’re excited to share an open call from Well of Art, in collaboration with the National Museum in Kraków and the Princes Czartoryski Museum: Return of Raphael is a global invitation to create your own modern-day self-portrait, inspired by the spirit of Raphael and powered by a digital tool for oil painting, Glaze.

The competition offers artists the opportunity to explore classical techniques in a digital format. The call is open to participants aged 7 and up, with prizes including iPads, publication in Apollo Art Magazine, and a special exhibition at the Princes Czartoryski Museum in Kraków.

The Inspiration: Raphael’s Lost Masterpiece

Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man, believed to have been painted around 1513–1514, has been missing since World War II. Once housed in the Princes Czartoryski Museum in Kraków, the painting vanished during the Nazi occupation and is now considered one of the most significant artworks lost in the conflict.

The portrait’s subject remains unidentified, while many scholars believe it may be a self-portrait. The young man is dressed elegantly and gazes outward with confidence and poise. Unfortunately, only black-and-white photographs remain, so the original colors and details are still unknown. This element of mystery is part of what makes the piece such a compelling starting point for reinterpretation.

Participants in the competition are encouraged to imagine their own version of the portrait as a self-portrait while drawing inspiration from the original's mood, posture, and historical context.

How to Participate

Everyone is welcome — children, teens, and adults. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just curious to try, this is your chance to create a self-portrait that bridges centuries.

The competition is built around the Glaze app, a digital painting platform that simulates traditional oil painting techniques. It’s designed to help users work with color, form, and brushwork as Renaissance painters did — only on a screen.

“Our app gives every tablet user the tools to master painting techniques based on Renaissance tradition.”

— Robert Latoś, painter and Glaze co-creator

Here’s how to join:

1. Download the Glaze App

Get the Glaze app via Apple Store or Google Play. You’ll need an iPad to use the app. Note that starting June 1st, the Glaze app in its current form will become completely free (check them out here).

2. Create Your Self-Portrait

Once inside the app, you’ll find a competition sketch to use as a starting point. You’ll also have access to tutorials and educational content to support your process.

3. Submit Through the App

When your artwork is complete, submit it directly via the Glaze app. All submissions are due by October 20, 2025.

Eligibility and Age Groups

The competition is open to anyone with access to the Glaze app. There are four age categories:

7–10
11–13
14–18
19+

Each group will be judged independently.

Awards and Recognition

Submissions will be evaluated by an international panel of experts. Judging will focus on creativity, technique, and how well the artwork responds to the theme of self-portraiture inspired by Raphael’s missing painting.

Four winners (one from each age group) will receive:

An Apple iPad and Apple Pencil
Publication in Apollo Art Magazine (as a sponsored feature)
Additionally, 100 best works will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Princes Czartoryski Museum

The shortlist will be announced on October 30, 2025.

“Users receive a sketch that faithfully follows the composition of Raphael’s original portrait. Then they can create their own self-portrait by choosing oil paint colors and developing it according to their personal vision. All artistic styles are permitted.”

— Robert Latoś

Organizers

This competition is presented by Well of Art, in partnership with the National Museum in Kraków and the Princes Czartoryski Museum. Glaze is developed in collaboration with Białystok University of Technology and has won multiple awards for innovation in digital culture and education.

About Glaze

Glaze is a digital painting app created by Well of Art in collaboration with Białystok University of Technology. It brings traditional oil painting techniques into the digital age — letting you work with color mixing, pigment behavior, and period-specific tools, all with the modern luxury of “undo.” It’s designed to feel as close as possible to painting in a real studio.

Glaze has earned major recognition: it won the Digital Innovation in Art Award (often dubbed the “Digital Oscar”) at London’s Investor AllStars, and was nominated for both the ArtTech Prize in Switzerland and the Polityka Weekly Awards for digital culture in 2023. Museums and schools already use it for interactive art education.

You can download Glaze via Apple Store or Google Play. Starting June 1st, the Glaze app in its current form will become completely free.

About The Princes Czartoryski Museum

As part of the National Museum in Kraków, the Princes Czartoryski Museum is one of Poland’s most treasured cultural institutions. Its collection is among the oldest and most valuable in Europe, featuring standout works like Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine and Rembrandt’s Landscape with the Good Samaritan.

The National Museum in Kraków is the largest museum in Poland and serves as the central branch of the country’s National Museum network. Founded in 1879, it oversees multiple branches across Poland and houses an extensive collection of around 780,000 works, ranging from classical archaeology to contemporary art, with a strong emphasis on Polish painting.

“Digitalization is transforming museums worldwide – including our own, with virtual tours and digital collections. Our partnership with Glaze introduces a new way to experience art, where history merges with innovation. Through digital tools, contemporary artists explore Renaissance painting techniques. We particularly encourage young creators to participate – this unique project will ignite their imagination.” – Tomasz Ostrowski, deputy director for strategy and communication, National Museum in Krakow

About Well of Art

Well of Art is a technology company dedicated to advancing the digital transformation of art education in schools and museums. Its products include Glaze, a software that replicates the real-life painting process—developed through a three-year research and development project—as well as gamified, hands-on learning experiences. The company is also behind Garden Creatures, an educational adventure game inspired by the world of Hieronymus Bosch, set to premiere in 2024. Well of Art offers a curriculum-aligned program designed to bring engaging, creative lessons to all levels of K–12 education.

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