Self-Portrait

The painting Self-Portrait by Paul Gauguin, completed in 1889, stands as a critical example of the French turn toward Symbolism and Synthetism in the late 19th century. This profound self-study was executed using oil on wood, a robust medium that allowed Gauguin to apply color in dense, highly saturated planes, enhancing the immediacy of the composition. The work demonstrates the artist's revolutionary shift away from purely optical representation, embracing flat fields of color and bold contours typical of the aesthetic developments occurring in the period spanning 1876 to 1900.

Produced during a period of intense artistic exploration, this piece embodies Gauguin's commitment to finding inner, subjective truths rather than objective reality. The French artist often used his own image to explore complex psychological states, moving toward a synthesized vision where mood and expression were paramount. Gauguin utilized simplification, stark outlines, and subjective color choices to convey psychological depth, establishing the formal foundations for later modern art movements. The raw energy visible in this painting reflects the artist’s internal struggles and his rejection of contemporary European artistic conventions.

This important work resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, serving as a vital touchstone for understanding Post-Impressionist psychological portraiture. While the original oil on wood painting is carefully preserved within the NGA, the iconic status of the artist ensures its global recognition. Consequently, high-quality prints and reproductions, often made accessible through public domain initiatives, circulate widely, allowing students and art enthusiasts alike to study Gauguin’s revolutionary approach to the self-portrait genre.