Self Portrait 1876

Hendrik Hollander created this self-portrait in 1876, using oil on panel. The composition draws our eye immediately to the face of the artist, framed centrally within an oval format. Notice how the somber palette, dominated by dark hues, sets a reflective tone. The artist's gaze, directed at the viewer, engages us in a silent dialogue. Hollander disrupts traditional portraiture through his detailed attention to texture, contrasting the softness of his beard with the starkness of his dark clothing and hat. This interplay between light and shadow, texture and form, underscores the artist's interest in exploring not just physical likeness but also the deeper structures of identity and self-representation. It invites viewers to consider the multifaceted nature of selfhood.