Untitled (formerly Self-Portrait) 1945

Here is Clyfford Still’s “Untitled, formerly Self-Portrait”, an oil on canvas with dimensions 180 x 106 cm. Painted during the mid-20th century, this piece emerged from the American Abstract Expressionist movement, a time characterized by profound social and political changes and anxieties. Still's work reflects a deep engagement with the self, and its place within a rapidly changing world. Initially conceived as a self-portrait, the painting features a stark contrast between dark, cavernous spaces and radiant, almost violent bursts of light, characteristic of Still's oeuvre. The bold, vertical thrusts of white reach upward, challenging the oppressive blackness, perhaps symbolizing a struggle for identity or a quest for transcendence. The raw, almost primal energy in this work speaks to the existential questioning prevalent in post-war America. Still said that his paintings were never abstract, but represented reality. As you contemplate this piece, consider how Still uses color and form to express the complexities of selfhood and the search for meaning in a fractured world.