Self-Portrait 1944

Curator: This is "Self-Portrait" by British artist Leslie Hurry, who was born in 1909 and died in 1978. The work now resides in the Tate Collections. Editor: There's a sort of haunting beauty, almost theatrical. A bit like stumbling upon a scene in a forgotten play. Curator: Hurry worked extensively in theatre design, and this piece reflects that sensibility, with the dramatic lighting and somewhat surreal composition. Editor: The way he renders himself—stiff, maybe a bit alienated—next to the dancerly figure, it makes you wonder about the artist’s relationship with his own creative process. Curator: Absolutely. The self-portrait, particularly within the context of his stage work, seems to be a study in the construction of identity. Editor: It’s a brave painting, actually, unafraid to show vulnerability. It definitely sticks with you. Curator: Indeed, it’s a compelling glimpse into the artist's psyche, and also into the artistic and cultural world he inhabited.