The artwork titled “Self Portrait with Beard,” created by Chaim Soutine around 1917, is an oil painting on canvas. It belongs to the Expressionism movement and falls under the genre of self-portraiture. This piece is part of a private collection.
In this artwork, the artist has rendered his visage with a raw intensity characteristic of Expressionism. The use of bold, unrestrained brushstrokes conveys a vivid emotional depth, giving the viewer a glimpse into Soutine’s inner world. The colors are predominantly dark, with rugged textures that emphasize the contours of the artist’s face and the surrounding environment. The background is abstract and nebulous, serving to further draw attention to the central figure. Soutine’s eyes are particularly striking, imbued with a haunting clarity that pierces through the somber hues enveloping the canvas. The artist’s signature can be discerned in the lower right corner, adding a personal touch to this profound self-representation.
