The artwork titled “Self Portrait” was created by the artist Camille Pissarro around the year 1900. The medium used for this piece is not fresco, as previously stated, but appears to be oil on canvas, which is more consistent with Pissarro’s known practices. Pissarro was a key figure in the Impressionist movement, and this work falls under the genre of self-portrait, a personal representation of the artist by himself.
In this self-portrait, Camille Pissarro depicts himself with a penetrating gaze that draws the viewer into a contemplative dialogue. The impressionistic style is evident through the loose and expressive brushwork, capturing the essence of his character rather than meticulously detailing his features. His face is rendered with warm hues that contrast subtly against the cooler tones of the background and his clothing. His beard and the textures of his skin are suggested with quick, deft strokes, which give a sense of liveliness and movement to the painting. Pissarro’s choice of a blue beret adds a characteristic touch to his appearance, suggesting his artistic identity and possibly his political leanings, as such a hat might be associated with the common working man of the time. The backdrop is abstract, painted in bold reds that might reflect his emotional or creative state. Overall, the artwork communicates a strong sense of the artist’s presence and personality.
