Zelfportret c. 1930

Jacob Bendien made this self-portrait in the Netherlands, sometime in the first third of the 20th century, using graphite or charcoal on paper. The image summons up associations with artistic and intellectual life in Amsterdam at this time. The Netherlands was neutral in the First World War, and it became a refuge for pacifists, artists and intellectuals. This portrait evokes the milieu of the avant-garde artist, perhaps impoverished, but serious and dedicated to his art. We might ask ourselves, what was the purpose of such an image? Was it intended for sale or exhibition? Or was it a more private act of self-examination, an attempt to capture the artist's inner state? In order to address questions like this, one needs to draw on all kinds of historical resources, including exhibition catalogues, biographies, and social histories of the era.