Selbstporträt

Art Historical Context

Lovis Corinth's *Selbstporträt* (Self-Portrait), created between 1920 and 1921, captures the German artist's introspective gaze in the final years of his life. A leading figure in German Impressionism and Expressionism, Corinth (1858–1925) produced this intimate work after suffering a stroke in 1911, which left visible marks on his features. Printed amid the cultural upheavals of post-World War I Europe, it reflects his unflinching exploration of aging, vulnerability, and resilience—themes central to his late oeuvre. Executed as a *Radierung* (etching) combined with *vernis mou* (soft-ground etching) on delicate Japanese paper, the small plate (12 x 9.3 cm) showcases Corinth's mastery of printmaking. Soft-ground technique allows for subtle textures, such as the impression of fabric or skin, lending a tactile intimacy to the image. The choice of fine Japan paper enhances the velvety depth of the ink, a nod to traditional East Asian printing influences popular among European artists. Housed in Vienna's Belvedere Collection, this print exemplifies Corinth's shift toward raw, psychological self-examination, bridging Impressionist light with Expressionist intensity. Visitors will appreciate its poignant honesty, a window into an artist's defiant spirit facing mortality.

About the Artist

Lovis Corinth · 1858–1925

Lovis Corinth, born Franz Heinrich Louis on July 21, 1858, in Tapiau, East Prussia (now Gvardeysk, Russia), to a tanner father, displayed prodigious drawing talent from childhood. He began formal training at the Königsberg Academy in 1876, then moved to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich from 1880 to 1884, studying under Ludwig von Löfftz and briefly Franz von Defregger, where he absorbed a Realis...