Artwork
Selbstportrait

Selbstportrait is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 2005 and is held in the collection of the Art Collection of the University Göttingen. The work is a self‑portrait depicting an older, bald man with a solemn expression.
About this work
Overview
The work is a self‑portrait depicting an older, bald man with a solemn expression. The figure is rendered in a palette of pink and gray tones on the face, set against a dark coat with a faint light‑green collar. The background is indistinct, composed of loosely applied green and purple strokes that recede behind the sitter.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a vigorous, impasto‑like application of paint, especially evident on the cheeks and forehead where the medium builds up in thick layers. Brushwork is intentionally rough and gestural, suggesting a rapid, perhaps finger‑assisted handling that gives the surface a tactile, lively quality despite the lack of smooth finish.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents the artist confronting his own aging, emphasizing the seriousness of the gaze and the stark contrast between the textured flesh and the muted surroundings. The subdued color scheme and the unrefined handling may reflect an introspective mood, focusing attention on the physical presence of the sitter.
Context
The composition aligns with a broader tradition of self‑portraiture that foregrounds the artist’s personal identity through direct, unembellished representation. The use of thick paint and loose brushwork situates the piece within modernist tendencies that favor materiality and expressive surface over detailed realism.
Artist & collection
Museum
Art Collection of the University Göttingen
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