Self-Portrait

Welcome, everyone, to the Kunstmuseum Basel's Print Room. Today, we're looking at a captivating piece titled "Self-Portrait," a drawing from 1502. This intimate work, created with black, red, and white chalk on green prepared paper, offers us a glimpse into both an artist's skill and his own image. nn The drawing is a bust portrait, focusing our attention on the young man's face and striking hat. Notice the directness of his gaze – it's as if he's looking right at us, inviting us to contemplate his likeness alongside him. The artist's masterful use of line and hatching creates a sense of dimension and texture. See how the white chalk highlights the fur trim of his hat, lending it a luxurious softness, while the red chalk enlivens his lips and adds subtle details to his face. nn The dark green background, unusual for a portrait of this era, pushes the subject forward, further emphasizing the sitter's presence. While the light source isn't clearly defined, the delicate modeling of his features suggests a frontal illumination, casting soft shadows and highlighting the contours of his face. nn Unfortunately, the artist's name is lost to time, making this self-portrait all the more intriguing. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of portraiture, allowing us to connect with an individual from centuries past through the skill of his own hand.