“Stop to consider this intense self-portrait by Maurice Marinot, where his direct gaze and bold brushwork create a powerful sense of presence and an intimate connection with the artist.”
In this striking self-portrait from 1927, Maurice Marinot presents himself with a direct, almost confrontational gaze. His face, rendered with a certain intensity, fills much of the canvas, drawing the viewer into a close encounter. The artist's choice to depict himself in such an immediate manner suggests an exploration of identity and presence, a common theme in self-portraiture but here executed with a raw, unvarnished quality. The brushwork, while not overly aggressive, builds form and texture, particularly in the planes of his face, giving the impression of a fleeting moment captured with bold confidence. This work stands as a testament to the enduring practice of artists turning the mirror on themselves, offering a window into their own perception and a direct connection to the maker.
- Artist
- Maurice
- Date
- 1927
- Location
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the direct, unwavering gaze of the artist.
Notice the texture created by the brushstrokes on his face.
See how the light defines the contours of his features.
Look at the subtle shifts in color that build volume.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Self-Portrait — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Maurice
The artist behind vibrant Fauvist street scenes and colorful depictions of Paris and French villages.
Further Works by Maurice
Springtime
1889 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
André Derain
1906 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Relief
1960 · National Museum in Warsaw
[A.H. Wenzler]
1860 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Eugene Benson]
1860 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Morrell]
1860 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Flute Harmonique
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Large Boston Public Garden Sketchbook: The Huntington Avenue Streetcar
1895 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Maurice: works from the same years.
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray
Piet Mondrian · 1921 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Straße mit Passanten bei Nachtbeleuchtung
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1927 · Museum Frieder Burda
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Lineman
Ivan Puni · 1927 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
American Gothic
Okada Saburosuke · 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Bull's Head
Mikhail Larionov · 1913 · Tretyakov Gallery
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Circus Rider
Marc Chagall · 1927 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Lemons on a Pewter Plate
Henri Matisse · 1926 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Fleeing Ghost
Paul Klee · 1929 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Blue Forest
Max Ernst · 1925 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Abstraction: Background with Blue Cloudy Sky
Pablo Picasso · 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
American Gothic
Grant Wood · 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Eye
René Magritte · 1932 · Art Institute of Chicago
