Self-Portrait - 55 East Division Street 1948

Ivan Albright's 1948 "Self-Portrait - 55 East Division Street" is a striking black and white depiction of the artist in his studio, known for its hyperrealistic details and unsettling imagery. The work is considered a masterpiece of American realism, capturing the artist's physical decline as well as the anxieties of his time. The artwork is filled with symbolism, with objects such as a skull, a cigarette, and a bowl of fruit hinting at themes of mortality and the passage of time. Albright's meticulous technique, which employed layers of oil paint and meticulous detail, enhances the sense of realism and eeriness. This iconic self-portrait is a testament to the artist's mastery of realism and his fascination with the darker aspects of human experience.