Self-Portrait II 1926

"Self-Portrait II" (1926) by Georges Rouault is a powerful and expressive self-portrait that reveals the artist's inner world through its stark simplicity. The work, executed in a distinctive style that often used heavy black lines and bold colors, depicts the artist's face with an intense directness. Rouault's somber and introspective approach to self-portraiture is evident in the somber, almost melancholy expression and the heavy shadows that engulf his features, reflecting the artist's inner turmoil. The black and white composition, rendered in a technique that reflects Rouault's earlier training in stained glass, adds to the work's somber mood. "Self-Portrait II" stands as a testament to Rouault's unique artistic voice, blending elements of Expressionism and religious iconography to create a powerful and enduring image.