Self-Portrait With Red Bonnet 1923

Gheorghe Petraşcu’s Self-Portrait with Red Bonnet presents a somber composition dominated by muted tones and stark contrasts. The artist's face emerges from a dark background, accentuated by the vibrant red bonnet, immediately drawing the viewer's eye. The brushwork is visibly textured, adding depth and a tactile quality to the piece. Petraşcu’s technique reflects a broader artistic concern with the materiality of paint and the act of seeing itself. The dramatic contrast between light and shadow, reminiscent of Rembrandt, serves not just to illuminate, but to question our perception. This play with visibility destabilizes the self-assuredness typically associated with self-portraits, inviting a deeper inquiry into the nature of identity. Consider the red bonnet; its vibrant color disrupts the otherwise subdued palette, acting as a signifier of artistic self-awareness. Through this simple gesture, the portrait moves beyond mere representation, engaging with ideas of artistic identity and the performative aspects of self-presentation.