Self-portrait Wilhelm Von Kobell (1766-1855)

The portrait presents a young man in a three-quarter view, angled sharply towards the viewer. He is positioned against a dark, indistinct background that allows his features and attire to dominate the composition. The artist has chosen a close framing, emphasizing the subjects face and upper torso.
Here we see a figure dressed in contemporary clothing: a black top hat, a dark coat with wide lapels, and a white cravat loosely knotted at the neck. The hat is tilted dramatically, casting shadows across his forehead and cheekbones, contributing to an overall sense of dynamism and unconventionality. His hair, reddish-brown and somewhat disheveled, appears to be escaping from beneath the brim of the hat.
The subject’s gaze is direct and intense; it holds a certain melancholy, yet also conveys a feeling of self-awareness and perhaps even defiance. The lips are painted with a subtle crimson hue, adding a touch of vibrancy against the darker tones of his clothing and complexion.
Brushwork appears loose and expressive, particularly in the rendering of the hair and facial features. This technique lends an immediacy to the portrait, suggesting it was executed rapidly and spontaneously. The application of paint is visible, contributing to a sense of raw emotion and unvarnished truthfulness.
Subtly, the painting conveys a mood of introspection and perhaps even alienation. The dark background isolates the figure, while his tilted posture and intense gaze suggest an individual who exists outside conventional social norms. The unconventional pose and attire imply a rejection of established artistic conventions, hinting at a desire for originality and self-expression. The overall effect is one of vulnerability combined with a quiet strength – a portrait not merely of appearance but also of character.