A self-portrait by Richard Gerstl, the Austrian Expressionist painter, showing the artist seated in an armchair. The painting is characterised by bold brushwork and a restrained colour palette.

Richard Gerstl (1883-1908) was an Austrian painter known for his intense, emotionally charged Expressionist portraits and unconventional approach to the genre. His career was tragically cut short by suicide at the age of 25, but his small body of work has secured his place as a significant, if somewhat isolated, figure in early 20th-century art. Gerstl's style is characterised by bold brushwork, a rejection of academic conventions, and a raw, psychological approach to his subjects. He was a contemporary of artists such as Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele, though his work remained largely unrecognised during his lifetime. This self-portrait shows the artist seated in a light green armchair, wearing a dark suit and tie. His hands are clasped in his lap, and his gaze is direct. The background is indistinct, with hints of other figures or objects. The brushstrokes are visible and energetic, contributing to the overall sense of immediacy and emotional intensity. The colour palette is restrained, with muted greens, browns, and blues dominating the composition. The portrait is a study in introspection, capturing the artist's inner turmoil and psychological complexity.