Artwork
Self-Portrait with Palette
Self-Portrait with Palette is an oil painting by the German Expressionist artist Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The palette in his hand is also painted with thick brushstrokes, giving the impression of texture and depth.
The painting depicts a man in a dark suit, with a white shirt and a black tie. He is holding a palette in his left hand, and his right hand is resting on his lap. The background is a mix of colors, with a blue sky visible behind the man.
The man's face is painted with bold brushstrokes, and his eyes seem to be looking directly at the viewer. The palette in his hand is also painted with thick brushstrokes, giving the impression of texture and depth.
The painting is a self-portrait of the artist, Lovis Corinth, created in 1924. It is an example of his unique style, which blended elements of realism and expressionism. To learn more about Corinth's work, explore the art of Lovis Corinth.
Overview
Lovis Corinth’s Self‑Portrait with Palette, executed in oil in 1924, presents the artist seated in a dark suit against a loosely rendered backdrop that hints at a blue sky. He holds a painter’s palette in his left hand while his right arm rests calmly on his lap, his gaze meeting the viewer directly.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a personal statement, positioning Corinth not only as the creator but also as the subject of his own composition. By displaying the tools of his trade, the painting underscores the inseparable link between the artist’s identity and his practice, inviting contemplation of the creative process itself.
Technique & Style
Corinth employs vigorous, impasto brushwork to render both facial features and the palette, creating a tactile surface that contrasts with the smoother tonal shifts of the background. This blend of realistic modeling and expressive, textured strokes reflects his synthesis of late‑19th‑century realism with early‑20th‑century expressionist tendencies.
History & Provenance
Created shortly before Corinth’s death, the portrait entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on display. Its acquisition by the institution situates the piece within a broader narrative of modernist art collected by major public museums in the early twentieth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lovis Corinth (21 July 1858 – 17 July 1925) was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.
