“Stop and observe Matthieu Wiegman's intense self-portrait from 1916. His direct gaze and the visible brushwork draw you into a moment of raw, unidealized introspection, offering a window into the artist's early self-perception.”
In this self-portrait from 1916, Matthieu Wiegman captures himself with a direct, almost confrontational gaze. His face, rendered in a palette of warm ochres and deep browns, emerges from a loosely painted background, suggesting an intimate, unidealized moment. The artist appears to be in his late twenties, a period often marked by self-reflection and the forging of artistic identity. There's a palpable sense of internal focus, as if we've caught him in the act of observation, perhaps even observing himself in a mirror. The brushwork, visible and energetic, contributes to the immediacy of the portrait, making it feel less like a formal sitting and more like a spontaneous, personal record. This work offers a glimpse into Wiegman's early career, showcasing a raw honesty in his approach to depicting himself.
- Artist
- Matthieu Wiegman
- Date
- 1916
- Location
- Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The direct, unwavering gaze of the artist.
The warm, earthy tones used for his skin and hair.
The visible, energetic brushstrokes throughout the painting.
The dark, indistinct background that pushes the figure forward.
Stand in front of it and listen
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Matthieu Wiegman
1886–1971 · Kingdom of the NetherlandsMatthieu Wiegman, a Dutch artist, captured a range of subjects from self-portraits to religious scenes throughout his prolific career.
Further Works by Wiegman
More works to explore
Beyond Wiegman: works from the same years.
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray
Piet Mondrian · 1921 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1900s–1930s
The Red Tower in Halle
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1915 · Museum Folkwang
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Bull's Head
Mikhail Larionov · 1913 · Tretyakov Gallery
Same era · 1900s–1930s
The Lineman
Ivan Puni · 1927 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1900s–1930s
American Gothic
Okada Saburosuke · 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Apples
Henri Matisse · 1916 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Boy with Baby Carriage
Norman Rockwell · 1916 · Norman Rockwell Museum
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Irises
Claude Monet · 1915 · National Gallery
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Man and Trees, Florida
John Singer Sargent · 1917 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Man with a Pipe
Pablo Picasso · 1915 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Seated Woman, Back View
Egon Schiele · 1917 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1900s–1930s
Death in the Garden (Legend)
Paul Klee · 1919 · Art Institute of Chicago

