Self-Portrait 1905
maxbeckmann
stadelmuseum
oil, canvas
portrait
17_20th-century
oil
possibly oil pastel
oil painting
canvas
portrait reference
acrylic on canvas
underpainting
painting painterly
portrait drawing
portrait art
watercolor
fine art portrait
Max Beckmann's 1905 "Self-Portrait" depicts the artist in a close-up view, looking directly at the viewer. The artist's features are rendered with expressive brushstrokes, capturing a sense of introspective intensity. The background, with its view through a window, suggests the artist's inner world. This portrait, a quintessential example of early Expressionism, showcases Beckmann's distinctive style, characterized by bold lines, simplified forms, and vibrant color. It is currently housed in the Städel Museum.
Comments
This self-portrait marks a turning point in Beckmann’s art of painting: it depicts the moment he turned away from Impressionism and towards other influences. The systematised brushstrokes and the painter’s looks show the influence of van Gogh’s self-portraits. In contrast, the emphatically geometric structure of the background with its large, coherent colour fields reflects the artist’s interest in Cézanne’s art. The letters at the bottom of the picture can be read as a dedication to Beckmann’s future wife, Minna Tube: “Mister Beckmann to his Dearest [Herr Beckmann seiner Liebsten] Minna (Minkchen) Tube”.
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