Giorgio de Chirico

Giorgio de Chirico, Self-Portrait with Shadow (Metaphysical Self-Portrait), 1919

CONTEXT CLUES:

Chirico made many self-portraits, and this one is not his first. He made his first self-portrait a few years early, and on it he wrote "Et quid amabo nisi quod aenigma est," which translates to "What shall I love if not the enigma?"

An enigma is a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

Chirico painted several 'double image' self-portraits where he seems to be comparing himself to other things, such as a shadow or statue. Some of his self-portraits also include his mother or brother. Do you think he was trying to help you understand him? Or maybe he's purposely trying to be mysterious and confuse you more?

Other self-portraits by Chirico:

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Self Portrait Gallery

Look through the gallery and choose 3 self-portraits that you personally find interesting. Click on the photos for more information about them.

Pablo Picasso

LEFT PHOTO: Pablo Picasso, Self Portrait , 1896 (age 15) RIGHT PHOTO: Pablo Picasso, Self Portrait Facing Death, 1972 (age 90) CONTEXT CLUES: Picasso was taught to draw from a very young age and was allowed to start taking classes at an art college at the age of only 13. However, at age 16 he dropped out of art school to pursue his own ideas about art. His paintings became increasingly unique and abstract. Self Portrait Facing Death was painted less than a year before Picasso died. He drew himself with huge, wide eyes facing forward and a blue-green skin color. How do you think he was feeling when he made this artwork? More self-portraits by Picasso, in the order they were made:

Jean Michel Basquiat

LEFT PHOTO: Jean Michel Basquiat, Self Portrait as a Heel , 1982 RIGHT PHOTO: Jean Michel Basquiat, Self Portrait as a Heel (Part 2) , 1982 CONTEXT CLUES: A "heel" is slang for a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy; someone with no sense of loyalty or honor. Why do you think Basquiat would choose to describe himself this way? Jean-Michel Basquiat is considered to be one of the most influential Black American artists of the late twentieth century. Basquiat did not have an easy life - his mother had severe depression and went to live in a mental hospital when he was 13 and a disagreement with his father left Basquiat homeless for a while as a teenager. As an artist, his focus was on equality in the society, racial segregation and livelihood, especially in America. Source: Jean-Michel Basquiat Biography More self-portraits by Basquiat:

Self Portraits

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