The artwork titled “Self Portrait” is a creation by Giorgio de Chirico, executed in 1925 while he resided in Paris, France. This piece is crafted in oil on cardboard, measuring 62.5 by 46 centimeters. The “Self Portrait” is often associated with the Neo-baroque movement, emphasizing a dramatic, elaborate style that revives elements from the Baroque period. As the title suggests, this is a self-portrait, a genre of artwork where the artist portrays themselves.
This self-portrait by Giorgio de Chirico presents the artist in a straightforward and unembellished manner. The background appears to be a cloudy sky with an illusion of architectural forms faintly visible, somewhat characteristic of de Chirico’s interest in mysterious townscapes. Above the artist’s figure, a draped red fabric is seen, which might be alluding to the curtains typically found in Baroque portrait settings. De Chirico’s expression is quite somber and reflective, with a hint of melancholy, capturing the viewer’s attention and inviting them to ponder the artist’s state of mind. His posture is frontal, and his gaze seems to confront the viewer directly. The attire is loosely draped, adding to the dramatic effect the artist might have sought, resonating with the Neo-baroque style’s attention to detail and intensity.
