The artwork, titled “Self Portrait as the Prophet of Painting (The Savior of Painting),” was created by the artist Odd Nerdrum in 1997. It is executed in oil on canvas and belongs to the Kitsch art movement. The genre of this piece is a self-portrait.
In the artwork, a figure stands dominantly in the foreground, clad in an ornate, golden robe that radiates an air of regality and purpose. The subject is depicted holding a painter’s palette and brush, symbolic tools of the craft. The background is composed of a muted, almost ethereal landscape, which serves to frame and emphasize the central figure’s prominence. The detailed portrayal and meticulous use of light and shadow reflect the artist’s technical prowess and thematic depth. The somber palette and serene expression of the subject contribute to the overall aura of introspection and reverence, underscoring the artist’s self-identification as a visionary or prophet in the realm of painting.
