Leon Wyczółkowski, Self-Portrait

In a self-portrait executed in pastel on canvas in 1897, Leon Wyczółkowski depicts himself as a young man dressed in an overcoat and white shirt. The confident and determined expression on his face and the eyes directed at the viewer testify to his self-esteem and self-confidence. Wyczółkowski executed it at the age of 45, when he was already a widely known and respected artist. As Maria Twarowska writes, at this time Wyczółkowski was "busy and darting". In Kraków, he co-founded the association "Sztuka" and was artistic director of the paper magazine "Życie". In the self-portrait depicted, the model's face is dominated by static, concentration and restrained calm. The painter uses colour stain and chiaroscuro more than contour. The subdued colour scheme of cool greys and greens is brightened by a sharp light focused on the right side of the face, while its left side remains hidden in shadow.
The self-portrait is an example of original artistic and formal exploration and an expression of mastery of the painting technique.