Self Portrait

August Jansen (06.10.1881-23.01.1957)

1950s
Oil on paper
40 x 35 cm

August Jansen painted himself often and through several decades. As a rule, he looks the viewer straight in the eye in his self-portraits. In this work, however, we see only the artist’s profile. His coat with its high collar and buttoned up in front, and the thick hat he is wearing further highlight the feeling of detachment and isolation. The artist is already 70 years old in this portrait and it is probably one of his last self-portraits.