Self Portrait (Detail ) 2015

This is Saul Zanolari's, Self Portrait Detail, made in 2015. The perspective in this image is wild. The artist looks down at the viewer through a frame of flesh and arteries, creating a raw and intimate encounter. The texture of the paint in the red frame is thick and fleshy, almost visceral. It contrasts with the smoother rendering of the figure, drawing attention to the materiality of the artwork. Those red arteries surrounding the frame remind me of Pollock's drip paintings, where the movement and gesture of the hand are so present. The red creates a strong visual impact, evoking feelings of passion, energy, and maybe even a little bit of danger. The way Zanolari combines realism with surreal elements makes me think of Odd Nerdrum, who also explored the body in unsettling ways. But unlike Nerdrum's dark and dramatic scenes, Zanolari brings a unique vision to the self portrait. It’s a reminder that art is about pushing boundaries, experimenting with form, and finding new ways to express the complexities of the human experience.