Self Portrait 1903 - 1904

Rik Wouters made this self-portrait in oil paint. It's a symphony of subdued browns and greens, punctuated by the warmth of his face, a gentle pink flush on his cheeks. I imagine Wouters in his studio, glancing between the mirror and the canvas. See how the paint is applied in short, deliberate strokes, almost like he’s feeling his way around his own face. There's a tender curiosity in the way he captures his own likeness. The brushstrokes around his coat are looser, more gestural, which contrast with the careful attention he gives to his face. It makes me wonder what he was thinking. Was he more interested in capturing his appearance or in conveying something deeper? Ultimately, this painting isn't just about Wouters' face; it's about the act of seeing, feeling, and translating that onto canvas, inviting us to reflect on the nature of self-perception.