Zelfportret van George Hendrik Breitner c. 1903

Here we see a self-portrait sketched by George Hendrik Breitner. Notice the inversion. The artist’s head hangs, an echo of the Hanged Man of the Tarot, a figure suspended voluntarily, head toward the earth. This motif has roots stretching back to antiquity, resonating with self-sacrifice and a kind of reflective introspection. In medieval art, inverted figures often symbolized treachery or moral downfall. Yet, here, it seems Breitner uses it to explore his own psyche. This posture—head below torso—recalls the alchemical symbol of transformation, where base metals are turned into gold through a process of dissolution and reformation. Could Breitner be suggesting that, through the act of artistic creation, he is undergoing a similar metamorphosis? A symbolic death, perhaps, leading to a rebirth of sorts on the canvas? The image engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, prompting questions about identity, sacrifice, and the very act of seeing. It's a powerful emblem that speaks to the cyclical nature of artistic expression.