Self-Portrait

De Chirico produced several self-portraits during his lifetime, ranging from full-length costume pieces in the grand portrait tradition to simple, bust -length portrayals like this work. Judigng from the details of the artist's physiognomany and his apparent age, the Oberlin self-portrait was likely produced in the mid-1930s. , a period in the artist's career not known for self-portriats. The unartuclated blank form making up the artist' shoulder and chest is unusualy, although the de Chirico did intentially retain a semi-unfinished effet in many paitings of the perid. The rough, swilrling application of the paint is backgound related ot other portrats from this time, including a full lenght portait of his wife, Isabella.