Self-Portrait with Pipe 1886

This is Vincent van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Pipe”. Van Gogh painted many self-portraits during his short life, especially during periods of isolation. This one offers a glimpse into the artist’s psyche during a time of great social and personal change. Smoking a pipe was common in the 19th century, but for Van Gogh, who lived in poverty for most of his life, it may have been a small comfort, a way to cope with the world around him. There is a striking directness in his gaze. The intensity with which he regarded himself, even in moments of relaxation, is palpable. Van Gogh seemed to depart from traditional self-portraiture. It offers a new narrative, one of an individual grappling with his internal struggles. The painting invites us to consider the relationship between mental health, self-perception, and artistic expression, mirroring the societal stigmas and personal battles surrounding mental health.