The artwork entitled “Self-Portrait” is a manifestation of Pablo Picasso’s exploration in expressionism, crafted in 1907. Picasso employed oil on canvas as his medium to compose this stirring representation of himself, which measures 50 by 46 centimeters. This work falls into the self-portrait genre, where the artist immortalizes his own image through a unique artistic lens.
The artwork presents a visage that is distinctly Picasso’s with its sharp geometric forms and fragmented appearance, elements that hint at the genesis of his later Cubist style. The figure’s countenance is marked by bold lines and contours that define the cheekbones, chin, and the characteristic intense gaze of the eyes. The use of angular shapes for the face and disjointed lines for the nose and other features reveal Picasso’s departure from conventional representation and foreshadow his later avant-garde experiments.
A stark contrast is visible between the warm and earthy tones that envelop the background and the cooler greenish hues that shape the subject’s clothing, further emphasizing the figure’s presence. With his direct gaze and the raw expressiveness of the brushwork, Picasso delivers a psychological intensity that is palpable, inviting contemplation on the artist’s state of mind during this phase of his artistic journey.
