Self Portrait in a Paris Bath House 1971

Beauford Delaney made this "Self Portrait in a Paris Bath House" with oil paint, and what strikes me first is the way he builds up the image with these gentle, almost doughy marks, a process of layering color upon color. Looking closely, the texture is undeniable. The paint seems thick, applied with a confidence that allows each stroke to remain visible. This isn't about hiding the process; it’s about celebrating the physicality of the medium. Take the area around the figure’s head. See how the yellow paint swirls and dances, creating a halo-like effect? It’s as if the light itself is a tangible substance, molded and shaped by Delaney’s hand. Delaney shares something with artists like Van Gogh, especially in their shared commitment to emotional expression through the act of painting. In both artists' work, ambiguity becomes a space for exploration, inviting us to bring our own experiences to the canvas, engaging in an ongoing dialogue that transcends time.