Self portrait 1902

"Self Portrait" (1902), by Italian Futurist artist Giacomo Balla, showcases a portrait of the artist himself. Balla was a key figure in the early 20th-century Italian avant-garde, and his work is characterized by its dynamism, use of color, and interest in modern life. This self-portrait, rendered in a loose, expressive style with visible brushstrokes, embodies Balla's early experimentation with the depiction of light and movement, anticipating his later exploration of Futurism. While primarily a portrait, the blurry background suggests a sense of movement and dynamism, foreshadowing his later interest in capturing the fleeting nature of motion.