Self portrait in the studio 

Valeria Duca painted this self-portrait in her studio, capturing a powerful image of artistic creation and self-reflection. The figure, confidently posed in a yellow armchair, presents a contemporary echo of classical Venus figures. Like Botticelli’s Venus, the subject exudes an aura of self-assuredness. Yet here, Venus is grounded in the artist's studio. Consider the act of sitting itself. The chair becomes a symbolic throne, elevating the artist to a position of authority, reminiscent of rulers depicted in historical portraiture. This motif transcends time, appearing in various contexts. The artist reclaims this pose, grounding it in a space of creativity. The raw emotional honesty of this self-portrait powerfully engages viewers, stirring deep, subconscious responses to themes of creation, authority, and artistic identity. Duca's self-portrait is not just a representation but a symbol in the cyclical progression of art, resurfacing and evolving through time.