Artwork
Selbstporträt
Selbstporträt is an oil painting by Antoni Coll i Pi. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts.
About this work
Overview
Antoni Coll i Pi’s self‑portrait, executed in oil in 1928, is part of the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago. The work presents the artist in a half‑length format, set against a darkened backdrop that subtly brightens behind his head, creating a modest contrast that draws attention to the figure.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas shows a bearded man with a white moustache, dressed in a dark jacket, white collared shirt and tie, and a gray cap. His gaze meets the viewer directly, and his solemn expression conveys a contemplative, perhaps introspective, mood, emphasizing the seriousness with which the artist approached his own representation.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette of muted dark tones punctuated by lighter highlights around the head. Coll i Pi’s brushwork is smooth and controlled, allowing the textures of fabric and facial features to emerge without overt dramatization, reflecting his broader approach to portraiture that favors realism over embellishment.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1920s, the self‑portrait entered the holdings of Chile’s National Museum of Fine Arts, where it remains on display. Its acquisition aligns with the museum’s effort to preserve significant works by Catalan‑born artists who contributed to the cultural exchange between Spain and South America during the early twentieth century.
Artist & collection
