Self-Portrait 1902

Viggo Johansen painted this self-portrait, likely in oil, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The colors are muted, almost monochromatic, which lends a certain solemnity to the work. You can tell he's not rushing; this is a thoughtful, methodical approach to portraiture. There's a beautiful tension between the detail in his face and the almost abstract background. The way the light catches his forehead and beard is particularly striking. Notice how the brushstrokes are visible, almost like he's building the image from the ground up. It's interesting how the darkness of the background makes the face seem to emerge from the shadows, creating a sense of depth and mystery. This feels reminiscent of Rembrandt’s portraits, particularly in the use of light and shadow to convey character and depth. Like all great portraits, it invites us to consider the complexities of human identity and the ongoing conversation between artists across time.