Self-Portrait 1941

This self-portrait by Niels Larsen Stevns feels like it was made in one sitting, maybe over a morning, with oil on canvas. Look at the buttery strokes of pale pinks, blues, and greens that build up the face and frame. You can see where he’s layered the paint thickly, especially around the beard and the brow. I can imagine him squinting into a mirror, trying to capture not just his likeness, but some inner quality too. The pose is informal, with the head resting on a hand, which gives it a relaxed feel. The blue and brown marks around the head aren't quite a hat and not quite background – just some painterly shapes. This reminds me of other artists like Bonnard who are more interested in exploring color relationships and less concerned with making a perfect copy. Painting is like this ongoing conversation; everyone's riffing off each other. It’s about embracing the mess, letting things be unresolved, and trusting that the painting will find its way.