The artwork titled “Self-Portrait 1937, #11,769” was created by artist Howard Finster in 1989. This piece is representative of the Art Brut movement and falls within the genre of self-portrait.
The artwork features a stylized and simplified depiction of Howard Finster himself. The figure’s face is rendered with bold outlines and flat colors, characteristic of folk art aesthetics. Surrounding the portrait, there are various textual elements and symbolic imagery. The artist has incorporated religious and spiritual themes, as evidenced by the inscriptions and the imagery of angels and holy messages. The background is dotted with simplistic architectural shapes, and clusters of different colored figures, enhancing the collage-like appearance of the piece. Finster’s use of vivid colors and whimsical details create a lively, thought-provoking composition that speaks to both his personal identity and his broader artistic vision.
