The artwork, titled “Self Portrait,” was created by the renowned artist Marc Chagall in 1914. It is an oil painting on paper, classified under the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The artwork measures 30 x 26.5 cm and falls under the genre of self-portraits. Currently, it is housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
In the artwork, one can discern a powerful and introspective depiction of Marc Chagall himself. The close-up portrait showcases his features with a realistic touch, yet the brushstrokes and the use of colors lend it a unique, almost dream-like quality characteristic of Naïve Art. His complexion is rendered in warm, earthy tones, and his reddish hair is curving and blending into the surrounding elements, creating an organic flow. An element of nature is present with the partially obscured leaves beside his face, adding depth and texture. The deliberate use of light and shadow enhances the emotional and contemplative ambiance of the portrait.
