Artists paint people's faces for a variety of reasons. Not all pictures of people are actually portraits.
The focus of each of the paintings in this group is the human face. Artists tackle this subject for a variety of reasons.
They may have received a commission. So they may be expected to capture a likeness and convey something of the sitter’s character and status.
Or the artist might have employed a sitter to pose. Allowing the artist the freedom to experiment with style and technique.
Or the artist may choose to ignore the individual and see a ‘type’, painting an iconic image.