Pašportrets 1968

This striking self-portrait was created by Guntis Strupulis, who tragically died young in 1974. Strupulis’s choice of oil on canvas, a well-established medium, is deliberately juxtaposed with his haunting subject matter. The material itself, oil paint, is significant for its versatility, allowing for both opacity and translucency. The flat, chalky surface, achieved through layering and blending, conveys the artist’s introspective mood. The scene is rendered in muted tones, save for the artist’s skin and the surreal backdrop of running figures and greyhounds. The work is infused with a social sensibility, reflecting Strupulis’s experience in Soviet-era Latvia, where art was often a form of veiled commentary. The artist’s craft serves as a powerful vehicle for expression, blurring lines between traditional portraiture, symbolism, and social observation. Looking closely at the painting gives us insight into the artist’s world, and allows us to challenge traditional ideas about what art can be.