Self Portrait 1962

Beauford Delaney made this self-portrait with expressive brushstrokes and a bold color palette. I wonder what it was like for him to stand before the mirror, cigarette perched on his lip, scrutinizing his features. The yellows feel so alive, pulsating with energy, while the blues and oranges create a sense of depth and complexity. Look at the way the paint is applied, thick and gestural, almost sculptural. I can imagine Delaney working quickly, intuitively, building up layers of color and texture, each stroke a record of his inner state. The beret tilted jauntily on his head, adds a touch of bohemian flair, while the cigarette hints at a certain world-weariness. Delaney and other painters, like Bob Thompson, used color and form to capture something essential about the human experience. They invite us to slow down, to look closely, and to feel deeply.