Self Portrait 1905

Jozef Israëls painted this self-portrait with oils, and it’s all about these expressive, almost muddy browns and blacks that give it such a heavy, contemplative mood. You can see the process, right? The paint is thick in places, especially around the face, giving it a sculptural quality. But then it thins out, almost disappears, into the background. Look closely at how he’s rendered his beard, it's not about detail, it's about catching the light, the way his features seem to emerge from the shadows. The brushwork is loose, gestural, but confident. There's a real sense of intimacy here, like we're catching a glimpse of him in a moment of reflection. You know, looking at this, I'm reminded of Rembrandt, not just in the use of light and shadow, but in the way Israëls seems to be searching for something deeper than just a likeness. Art’s this ongoing conversation, right? It’s about how we see, and how we feel. It's a mystery!