Self-Portrait
1890
unspecified
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1890
unspecified
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This painting shows a close-up portrait of a person with dark hair and a serious expression. The face is turned slightly to the side, and the background is plain and dark, keeping all focus on the subject. The brushstrokes are visible, giving the painting a textured look. The dark background makes the face stand out, which is a technique used to highlight the subject. This style was common in portrait painting to draw attention to the person’s features. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how artists use light and shadow to create depth.