“A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self” is a tempera painting created by Kerry James Marshall in 1980. Belonging to the genre of self-portrait and the art movement of Naïve Art (Primitivism), the artwork measures 20.2 by 16.5 cm.
The artwork presents a stark and haunting image. Dominated by dark tones, the figure in the portrait is rendered almost entirely in black, with only the eyes and the teeth distinguishable against the deep shadows. The eyes exude a sense of concentrated intensity, while the broad, exaggerated smile, with prominently visible teeth, creates a striking contrast. The figure is adorned with a broad-brimmed hat and a high-collared shirt, adding an element of formality to the otherwise mysterious and somewhat unsettling depiction. The background is textured with a subtle pattern, complementing the enigmatic atmosphere of the work. The signature of Kerry James Marshall is subtly visible in the bottom right corner, affirming the painting’s authenticity.
