The artwork “Interior with Hand Mirror (Self-Portrait)” by Lucian Freud, created around 1967, is an oil on canvas that portrays the artist’s reflection in a hand mirror. Measuring 25.5 x 17.8 cm, this self-portrait exemplifies the artist’s expressionistic style, which is characterized by an emotional, psychological exploration of the self.
In the artwork, Freud has employed a close-up perspective of a hand mirror that captures his reflection. The reflection shows only a portion of Freud’s face with a strong emphasis on his features, which appear slightly distorted and deeply expressive. The muted palette and the brushstrokes contribute to the intensity of the self-examination, a hallmark of Freud’s expressive approach to portraiture. The hand mirror is set against a pared-back background, drawing the viewer’s attention to the reflected image. The composition suggests a sense of introspection, with the surrounding space simplified to focus on the psychological depth of the subject. The intimate scale of the piece reinforces the personal nature of the artwork, inviting contemplation on the relationship between artist and self-image.
