Self-Portrait 1921

Cuno Amiet painted this self-portrait, probably in the early 20th century, using oil paint. What strikes me is how Amiet builds up the image with these little dabs of colour. It's like he's not trying to copy what he sees, but rather construct a feeling, an experience, almost like a mosaic. Look at the way the colours vibrate against each other – the blues and greens next to the yellows and reds. The paint itself seems applied quite thickly, creating a textured surface that catches the light. I love the way he renders his face in shadow beneath that straw hat. It’s not about precision, it's about capturing the essence of a sunny day, the weight of the hat, the act of seeing and painting all at once. The blobs of paint coalesce into something recognizable, but they never quite resolve, remaining alive with potential. Amiet reminds me a little of the Fauvist painter Maurice de Vlaminck, both unafraid to use bold, arbitrary colours to express their inner vision. This painting to me is a reminder that art is not about perfection; it’s about the process of seeing, feeling, and making.