Selbstporträt

Art Historical Context

Walther Gamerith’sSelbstporträt created around 194, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s self-reflection through the immediacy of charcoal on paper. Measuring 48.5 by 41.5 centimeters, this drawing belongs to the Belvedere Collection in Vienna and exemplifies the expressive potential of the medium. Charcoal allows for rich tonal contrasts and fluid lines, enabling artists to capture both form and emotion with spontaneity and depth. As a self-portrait produced in the late 1940s, the work invites viewers to consider the personal and artistic introspection that often follows periods of historical upheaval. Gamerith’s choice of drawing over more finished media underscores a direct, unmediated encounter with his own image, highlighting the genre’s enduring role in exploring identity. Now part of the Belvedere’s holdings, this piece contributes to the museum’s rich survey of Austrian art, preserving a moment of quiet artistic dialogue from the post-war era for contemporary audiences.