Selbstbildnis Carl Moll 1943

This is Carl Moll's self-portrait, an oil on canvas that immediately strikes the eye with its dominant use of green hues. The palette, ranging from deep emerald to a more vibrant lime, creates a somewhat unsettling yet harmonious effect. Moll's application of paint is thick and expressive. Each brushstroke seems deliberate, contributing to the overall texture that defines his face and clothing. It’s through these formal elements that Moll communicates more than just a likeness. The structural composition, with its emphasis on colour and texture, reflects the modernist preoccupation with the materiality of paint itself. This approach elevates the canvas from a mere representational surface to a field of aesthetic exploration. The painting invites ongoing interpretation. Moll’s self-portrait, through its formal qualities, engages with broader questions about representation and the artist's role in constructing meaning.