Self-portrait without a collar 1900

Lovis Corinth painted this striking self-portrait with oil on canvas, capturing himself without a collar, an emblem of the modern artist. The assertive gaze, reminiscent of ancient Roman portrait busts, suggests not just physical likeness but a declaration of self. Consider the tools he holds: brushes and a palette. These are not merely instruments but symbols of creation, echoing the attributes of classical muses. In ancient times, attributes such as these defined gods and mortals, clarifying their roles and domains. The brush, like a scepter, signifies power—the artist's ability to shape reality. This motif, this grasping of creative tools, resurfaces throughout art history, each time imbued with the artist’s personal struggle and triumph. The raw, unfiltered emotion in Corinth's eyes engages us on a subconscious level, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, continually reborn in each new act of artistic creation.