Summary
This quote implies that there are only two ways to approach portrait painting, either with a serious tone or with a more lighthearted, playful attitude. It suggests that artists have two distinct choices in how they capture the essence and personality of their subjects. The serious style might focus on depicting depth of emotion and character, while the smirk style could aim to capture humor or a sense of quirkiness. Essentially, the quote highlights the dichotomy between two different approaches to portraying individuals in visual art.