Self-Portrait 1942

This is a self-portrait by Antonio Donghi, who, judging from the painting, had a knack for capturing a certain kind of stillness. The paint application is smooth, almost as if he wanted to erase any trace of his hand. The colors are muted, creating a sense of calm, but also a bit of melancholy. Look at the folds of the coat, how each one is carefully rendered, giving the fabric a weighty presence. It's almost sculptural, isn't it? Donghi's gaze is direct, but there's a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. It makes you wonder what he was thinking as he painted himself, and maybe even more broadly what he thought the role of the artist should be. This reminds me of Balthus and his psychologically charged portraits. Ultimately, it's this quality of quiet mystery that keeps me looking, finding new layers each time.