Self portrait 1906

Here's a self-portrait by Theo van Doesburg, in oil paint, and you can see how his face is lit from an unseen source, casting deep shadows that emphasize the planes of his face. I wonder what he was thinking as he painted himself, staring into that mirror. Was he trying to capture something of his inner self, or just his outward appearance? The paint is quite thin, almost transparent in places, and it's been applied in layers, built up slowly over time. You can see the brushstrokes, the way the paint moves and flows across the canvas. There's a real sense of intimacy here, of being close to the artist and sharing a moment with him. His style here reminds me a little of other early modernists who were grappling with representation and identity in a rapidly changing world, but you can also sense his own unique voice and vision coming through. It’s like he’s in conversation with them all, borrowing ideas and techniques, but ultimately forging his own path.