Self-Portrait 1934

Dobri Dobrev painted this self-portrait, probably in his studio, in 1934. The paint is applied in these direct strokes, with close tonal variations that describe his face and form. There’s a wonderful vulnerability, perhaps even a slight hesitation in his gaze. I find myself thinking about how a painting, especially a self-portrait, is always a kind of performance. Look at the area where his hair meets the light background, it’s a flurry of activity, the brush dances, creating a kind of halo, softening the edge of his face. The canvas is visible in parts, adding to the sense of this being a captured moment, a fleeting expression. This portrait reminds me of some of Alice Neel’s early work, that same interest in raw, honest representation, and the beauty found in the imperfect. It's a reminder that art is about capturing a feeling, an essence, more than a perfect likeness.