Man with Heart (Self) 1918

Walter Gramatté made this self-portrait, "Man with Heart," using oil on paper. It’s this earthy sepia palette that gives it such presence. The brushstrokes are visible, aren’t they? They reveal the artist's hand, and that's what draws me in. Look at the figure’s eyes, the way they lock onto yours, and the heart in their hands. It’s a bold gesture to present a heart so directly, but rendered in this palette, it feels personal, almost vulnerable. See how the light catches the edges of the figure, creating this sort of halo effect, which contrasts against the darker tones. Gramatté, like other Expressionists like Kirchner, used portraiture to explore psychological depth. He’s a man laid bare through art. This piece isn't about perfection, but about being human, feeling deeply, and daring to show it.