Selbstbildnis (Self-Portrait) 1919

Conrad Felixmüller created this self-portrait using woodcut, a medium that lends itself to bold, graphic expression. Notice the heavy lines that define his face, especially the stark pattern on his forehead. This isn't merely decoration; it’s a deliberate invocation of primitive, almost totemic imagery. Consider how similar markings appear in tribal art across continents. Whether in African masks or Aboriginal carvings, such patterns often symbolize identity, status, or spiritual connection. Felixmüller, like many artists of his time, was deeply interested in the power of so-called "primitive" forms to convey raw emotion and psychological truth. The closed eyes and the tense mouth further add to this sense of suppressed intensity, hinting at a world of inner turmoil. It is a face that resonates with the anxieties of a rapidly changing world. This image doesn't merely depict a likeness; it evokes a primal scream from the depths of the modern psyche.