Leafy Self-portrait

Artist John Byrne (Paisley, Scotland, 1940 - 2023)

Date2011

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

Dimensions76 cm X 61 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 2011 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG017654

Keywords

About MeJohn Byrne attended Glasgow School of Art from 1958 to 1963 and subsequently forged successful careers as both a playwright and an artist. Byrne has received several honorary doctorates, including one from the Robert Gordon University, Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen. In 2004 he was made an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy.
This work joins our existing strong holdings of portraits of notable Scots and artists' self portraits. For Byrne the self portrait has been a constant source of inspiration. Here his distinctive physiognomy is seen in front of a leafy background, the colours of his Breton top and scarf blending with the leafy forms behind. With its bold colours and full-face format it recalls the striking and intense self portraits of Henri Rousseau and Frieda Kahlo and the frame, painted by Byrne, echoes Kahlo's self portrait of 1938 (Centre Pompidou, Paris) in which the artist also painted herself within a colourful 'frame', see:

http://collection.centrepompidou.fr/Navigart/images/image_fset.php?iid=0&maxh=994&is_sel=0&aid=1476&ord=title&sl=KAHLO

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For Byrne the self-portrait has been a constant source of inspiration. This portrait with bold colours and full-face format recalls the striking and intense self-portraits of Henri Rousseau and Frieda Kahlo.