a mirror of the self

[Silverobama]

Hi,

The following sentence is from dictionary.com:

By means of empathy, a great painting becomes a mirror of the self.

I don't understand the connection between "emphathy" and the latter and what does "a mirror of the self" has to do with "a great painting"?

 

[teechar]

If you consider a painting (e.g. a portrait) great/wonderful/touching etc., you may engage and connect (empathize) with it.
"mirror of the self" = see yourself (your life situation) reflected in the painting.