Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is a chalk drawing by Jerome Myers. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jerome Myers’ self‑portrait, executed in 1922, is a drawing rendered with red, black and white chalk on a sheet of laid paper. The work measures roughly the size of a standard sheet and bears the artist’s signature in the lower right corner. The composition presents the artist’s head and shoulders, rendered in a limited palette that emphasizes tonal contrast.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a man with curly hair and a moustache, gazing directly at the viewer. By focusing on his own likeness, Myers underscores the individuality of the artist within the bustling urban environment he often portrayed, suggesting a personal reflection amid the larger social fabric of early‑twentieth‑century New York.
Technique & Style
Myers employs a chiaroscuro approach, using the juxtaposition of dark and light chalk to model facial features and suggest volume. The restrained use of red alongside black and white adds a subtle warmth, while the texture of the laid paper contributes to the drawing’s tactile quality, aligning with the Ashcan School’s emphasis on direct, unembellished observation.
History & Provenance
Born in 1887, Myers studied at Cooper Union and the Art Students League before establishing his career in New York City. The self‑portrait, created during his mature period, reflects the artist’s ongoing engagement with urban subjects. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s estate, later entering a public collection that documents his contribution to American realist drawing.
Context
Created in the early 1920s, the drawing aligns with the Ashcan School’s focus on everyday life and the vitality of the city. While many of Myers’ works depict street scenes and laborers, this intimate self‑representation offers a counterpoint, highlighting the personal perspective of an artist immersed in the same environment he routinely recorded.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jerome Myers (March 20, 1867 – June 19, 1940) was an American artist and writer associated with the Ashcan School, particularly known for his sympathetic depictions of the urban landscape and its people.
