Artwork
Self-portrait
Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Antonio Fabrés. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1920, this oil self‑portrait by Antonio Fabrés presents the artist as an elderly figure with white hair and beard, dressed in a dark coat and black boots. He stands on a modest dirt path, hands tucked into his pockets, against a softly rendered wooded backdrop. The composition conveys a sober, reflective tone, characteristic of the Symbolist aesthetic.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Fabrés himself, his gaze meeting the viewer directly, suggesting a contemplative self‑examination. The serious expression and the muted, natural setting emphasize themes of aging, solitude, and the inner life of the artist, aligning with Symbolist interests in personal introspection and emotional depth.
Technique & Style
Employing chiaroscuro, Fabrés models light and shadow to give the figure a three‑dimensional presence, while the blurred foliage recedes into atmospheric depth. The palette is restrained, dominated by dark tones that accentuate the white hair and beard, reinforcing the contrast between the figure and his surroundings.
History & Provenance
Born in Catalonia in 1854, Fabrés earned recognition for Orientalist and historic scenes before turning to self‑portraiture later in his career. This 1920 painting entered the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early twentieth‑century Catalan art.
Context
The portrait emerges at a time when Symbolist ideas were influencing Spanish painters, encouraging a move away from literal representation toward mood and inner experience. Fabrés’s choice to depict himself in a natural, unadorned setting reflects this shift, situating the work within broader European trends toward psychological portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antoni Maria Fabrés i Costa (Spanish: Antonio Maria Fabrés y Costa; 1854–1938), also known as Antoni Fabrés, was a Catalan sculptor and painter known especially for his depictions of Orientalist and period subjects.
