Self-Portrait Wearing a Cap 1931

Curator: Here we have William Roberts' "Self-Portrait Wearing a Cap," part of the Tate Collections. Editor: It strikes me as quite a formal portrait, considering it's a self-portrait. The hat and tie feel almost like a uniform. Curator: Indeed. The cap, particularly, has working-class associations, while the tie suggests aspiration. Roberts often explored the individual within the industrialized world. Editor: I'm interested in the handling of paint here. Look at the visible brushstrokes in the background and the layering of color in the face. It's a constructed image, built from the materials themselves. Curator: Notice also the eyes, those piercing blue eyes. They draw you in, creating a direct connection to the artist's inner self, a timeless visual bridge. Editor: The materiality and social signaling here seem intentionally accessible. Curator: It's a powerful combination, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely, a fascinating interplay between representation and reality.