Self-portrait with a grey felt hat (1886-1887) by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890).

摘要

Between 1886 and 1889, Vincent van Gogh painted his own portrait 37 times; these paintings represent approximately 10% of his artistic output during that time and are generally considered among his most important works. It is not often recognized that van Gogh's interest in this art form represents a type of national or cultural tradition rather than a dramatic break or psychological revolt. There seems to be something in the climate and emotional temperature of Northern Europe that lends itself to morbid rumination and artistic self-regard. Self-portraiture is a relatively late development in Western realist art. It did not become a major subgenre until the Renaissance, when most examples involved insertion of the artist's self-portrait into a relatively large work devoted to another subject. The artist is often seen at the side of the donors who commissioned the religious panel in which they appear.