The artwork titled “Self Portrait,” created by Francisco Goya in 1815, is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the Romanticism art movement. It measures 51 by 46 centimeters and falls within the genre of self-portraiture. Currently, the artwork is housed at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork captures the essence of Goya in a direct and introspective manner. His gaze confronts the viewer with a mix of immediacy and psychological depth. The brushwork is loose and expressive, adhering to the Romantic emphasis on emotion and individualism. The dark palette suggests introspection and may reflect the artist’s state of mind or the tumultuous era he lived through. The subtle rendering of light and shadow on his face creates a sense of volume and three-dimensionality, while his clothing is suggested with swift, deft strokes, focusing the viewer’s attention firmly on his facial expression. This self-portrait is a telling example of Goya’s mastery in depicting human character and emotion.
