Autoportret

About this work

This painting shows a man with a dark, curly hat and a serious expression. He’s wearing a dark brown coat with a high collar, and his face is lit from the side, leaving part of it in shadow. The background is plain and dark, so the focus stays on his face. The lighting makes his skin look rough in spots, almost like brushstrokes were applied thickly. This might be a trick to show texture or mood. Try looking up *chiaroscuro* next to see how artists used light and shadow this way.