Self Portrait 1950 1950

Claude Cahun made this self-portrait in 1950. It’s a photograph, a medium in which the ‘mark making’ is created through light, shadow, and composition – it’s almost like painting with the world itself. The tones of gray really dictate the mood. Look at how the shadows define the textures of the stone steps, the fur of the dog, and the fabric of her dress. The contrast between the dark, dense foliage in the background and the brighter areas where Cahun is sitting creates a kind of theatrical stage. See the two balls at the base of the image? The smooth, dark spheres add to the stillness, a sense of suspended time. This image reminds me of other artists who used photography to explore identity, like Cindy Sherman, who transformed herself into various characters and stereotypes. Like Cahun, these artists challenge us to question the fixed nature of identity, embracing the ambiguity and fluidity of self-representation.