Zelfportret 2011 nr. 100 2011

Philip Akkerman made this pencil drawing, Self-Portrait 2011 no. 100. It invites us to consider the artist's role in shaping not only the image but also the perception of self. Akkerman, working in the Netherlands, belongs to a generation of artists who critically engage with established notions of identity. The unusual rendering of his own face—almost as a landscape of textures and patterns—challenges the traditional function of portraiture. Instead of presenting a clear, idealized image, the artist offers an almost topographical map of himself. The work subtly critiques the art institution’s tendency to commodify personal expression. As art historians, we might consider the philosophical contexts in which Akkerman made the artwork. Resources from the artist's time will help us understand the social conditions that shape artistic production.