Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait [1889]

Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait [1889], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

This image is one of some thirty-five self-representations by Vincent van Gogh. As part of an artistic tradition of introspection and self-analysis, the self-portrait was appropriate for a sensitive and thoughtful artist such as Van Gogh. There were also practical reasons for his doing a large number of such works. Professional models were not always available or within the means of a struggling artist. Over the course of his career, Van Gogh would use his own features to explore a variety of painting styles and techniques. His self-portraits constitute fascinating documents of his development as both an artist and an individual.