SELF PORTRAIT

DeNiro, Robert Sr. (1922-1993)

Oil on masonite

Unknown

X1963.08.02

A central oblong head dominates this painting. The paint handling is done with a palette knife and scraped onto the masonite support, heavily impastoed. Atop the head rests an amorphous oval painted purples and browns, suggesting a hat. On the right side of the subjects forehead is a gestural green semi-circle connecting to a light blue brushstroke that extends vertically down the cheek. The figures upper shoulders are visible along the bottom edge of the painting, rendered in greens that extend up into accents in the face. The background is dominated by a light cream color and interspersed with various multicolored brushstrokes, mostly purples, browns and burnt siennas and blue greens.