Self Portrait with Skeleton Lovis Corinth (1858-1925)

The composition presents a man in close-up, positioned against a backdrop of a cityscape viewed through a large window. He is depicted from the chest upwards, his gaze directed towards the viewer with a directness that establishes immediate engagement. A skeletal figure stands closely beside him, its presence dominating the left side of the canvas.
The artist’s rendering emphasizes texture and brushwork; the mans face and clothing are built up with visible strokes, creating a sense of physicality and immediacy. The color palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and grays – which contribute to a somber atmosphere. The cityscape beyond the window offers a contrast in color, displaying hints of red roofs and a hazy sky, but remains indistinct, suggesting distance and perhaps detachment.
The inclusion of the skeleton introduces a powerful symbolic element. It is not presented as menacing or threatening, but rather as an almost companionable presence. This juxtaposition suggests a contemplation of mortality, a confrontation with the inevitability of death. The man’s expression is complex; it appears to be one of weary acceptance, perhaps tinged with melancholy, but lacking overt despair.
The window itself functions as a crucial framing device. It separates the figure from the external world, creating a sense of introspection and confinement. The blurred cityscape beyond suggests a life continuing outside this personal space, while the man remains within his own thoughts and reflections. The overall effect is one of profound contemplation on the human condition – the interplay between life, time, and death – rendered with an understated yet compelling visual language.