Self-Portrait 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Merton Clivette’s *Self-Portrait*, located at the Harvard Art Museums. The thick brushstrokes give it an almost sculptural quality. What strikes you about the formal elements of this piece? Curator: The bravura of the brushwork is indeed compelling. Note how Clivette uses impasto to create texture and volume, particularly in the face. The juxtaposition of light and shadow, achieved through tonal variations, defines the contours. Editor: It’s interesting how the dark background makes the face almost emerge from the shadows. Curator: Precisely. Consider the composition as a study in contrasts—the dark and light, the rough texture against the smoother areas. It creates a dynamic visual tension. Editor: I hadn’t considered it that way before. Thanks for helping me see it in a new light.