Artwork

Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait, by Lovis Corinth, 1923
Self-Portrait, by Lovis Corinth, 1923

Self-Portrait is a drawing by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Lovis Corinth’s self‑portrait, executed in 1923, is a drawing held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents the artist’s likeness with a focus on his facial features, set against a light‑toned background that isolates the figure from any surrounding context.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows a middle‑aged man with a receding hairline, a mustache, and a dark shirt, his gaze directed inward. The composition emphasizes introspection, suggesting a contemplative mood as the artist examines his own identity through a direct, unembellished portrayal.

Technique & Style

Corinth employs bold, gestural strokes that give the drawing a textured surface and a sense of depth despite its two‑dimensional medium. The contrast between the dark clothing and the luminous background heightens the focus on the face, while the loose handling of line conveys immediacy and emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Created shortly before Corinth’s death, the drawing entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are recorded in the museum’s catalogue). It remains part of the museum’s permanent collection, displayed as an example of early‑20th‑century German portraiture.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Lovis Corinth

Artist

Lovis Corinth

Lovis Corinth was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.