Self-portrait

The self-portrait of Antanas Samuolis (1899–1942) executed in an expressive manner and vibrant colours was painted when the author studied at the Kaunas Art Studio of Justinas Vienožinskis. It is a frank look of the twenty-six-year-old painter at himself. The 1925 self-portrait depicts Samuolis as a strong person with a fiery look. His colleague and fellow artist, Neemija Arbit Blatas, later said of Samuolis: ‘There was truth, dignity, and … loneliness about Samuolis.’ (Raimundas Samulevičius. Baltoji obelis. Vilnius: Vaga, 1985, p. 22). The radically different energy of Samuolis’ works is still characteristic of his paintings even today. His short creative path was purposeful and mature. All known self-portraits of Samuolis convey certainty and naked exposure before himself and the viewer. In this case, it is the fiery look of the young man which conveys his psychological condition.