Selvportræt 1917

G.V. Blom made this self-portrait using a monochrome palette, with the careful application of light and shadow to define the planes of his face. You can see the artmaking process at work here, and get a sense of Blom experimenting with tone and gradations of light. I find myself drawn to the materiality of the work: the texture, the surface, the palpable density of the medium that Blom used. The paint application is so thin, almost transparent. Look closely at the mustache; those soft, wispy brushstrokes convey a sense of delicacy. The careful attention to detail creates an emotional experience of intimacy and introspection. This work reminds me of Whistler's portraits, where the artist's personality shines through. This piece isn't about a fixed meaning, but about embracing ambiguity.