Self Portrait 

Pierre Bonnard, a master of capturing intimate moments, crafted this self-portrait in oil, a haunting visage emerging from a hazy background. Here, the motif of the mirror takes center stage, a symbol laden with centuries of complex meaning. Mirrors appear in Jan van Eyck’s "Arnolfini Portrait," reflecting the whole scene, and in Diego Velázquez’s "Las Meninas," where it reflects the king and queen. In this artwork, the mirror suggests introspection, a deep dive into the artist's psyche. Notice the way Bonnard’s eyes, shadowed and magnified by spectacles, gaze out with a sense of melancholy. This gaze echoes the tradition of memento mori, reminding us of the transience of life, much like the skulls in Dutch vanitas paintings. Bonnard presents the viewer with an image of himself that is both intimate and detached, inviting us to contemplate the passage of time and the nature of self-perception. The mirror, then, becomes a conduit for exploring the psychological depths of existence, reflecting not just the artist's likeness but his internal world.