The artwork titled “Self-Portrait with Black Eye” was crafted by the artist Lucian Freud around the year 1978. This piece, executed in the medium of oil on canvas, is a striking example of the Expressionism art movement and falls under the genre of self-portraiture.
In this artwork, the viewer is immediately drawn to the intimately detailed and textured representation of the artist’s face, which occupies the foreground of the canvas. The focal point is a pronounced black eye, surrounded by a mosaic of brushstrokes that capture the subtleties of light and shadow on the skin. The treatment of the subject matter—marked by an emphasis on raw, emotional expression—aligns closely with Expressionist principles. The portrait exudes a palpable sense of vulnerability and introspection, potentially inviting viewers to contemplate the personal narrative behind the depicted injury.