Self-portrait 1921

Lesser Ury made this self-portrait using oil paint, a material with a rich history in art. You can see the material's influence in the thick, textured brushstrokes. Oil paint allows for layering and blending, which Ury uses to capture the nuances of light and shadow on his face. The inherent qualities of the oil, its viscosity and drying time, contribute to the depth and richness of the image. This painting embodies the tradition of portraiture, often associated with skill, status, and the art market. Oil painting itself has been tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, with its production and distribution reliant on economic systems. The labor invested in creating this painting reflects the artist's dedication to their craft and the value placed on artistic skill within a capitalist society. Considering the materials, making, and context of this self-portrait allows us to understand the full meaning of the artwork.