The artwork “Self-Portrait with Beret” is a striking oil on canvas by the renowned Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne, dated to the year 1900. Measuring 63.5 by 50.8 centimeters, this self-portrait epitomizes the subjective emotion and structural order characteristic of Cezanne’s later work within the Post-Impressionism movement.
In this self-portrait, Cezanne has depicted himself with a stern and introspective gaze. The artist’s face displays the rugged features and furrowed brow of a man in his later years, with his gaze slightly turned away from the viewer, giving the impression of deep contemplation. Cezanne’s trademark brushstrokes, full of vigor and complexity, work to build his features in a myriad of planes and angles, echoing the Post-Impressionist concern with the underlying structures of the visual world. These strokes define the volume and shape of his distinctively jowled face, strong nose, and pensive eyes.
He is dressed in dark clothing, which recedes into the similarly toned background, and his head is topped with a beret, a nod to the style of the times and perhaps to his French heritage. The use of color is restrained yet impactful, with the warmth of his ruddy complexion lightly contrasting against the muted background. The application of paint creates texture and movement within the composition, making the figure appear both solid and lifelike. The treatment of light and shadow on the face and the beret contributes to the overall three-dimensional effect.
Essential to the mood of the piece is Cezanne’s use of color and contrast to elicit an emotional response from the viewer. The artwork doesn’t merely capture the artist’s physical appearance but also serves as an intimate psychological exploration of his character and mood at the time of painting, inviting onlookers to engage with the inner world of the artist.
