For many years I painted a self-portrait every year. I called the series “State of the Art”. Unfortunately I stopped because I didn’t want to be perceived as a narcissist. On the other hand, what artist is not a narcissist? 🙂
The example for this year certainly reflects a lot of what the Covid-19 crisis brought us. And the effects are very diverse – and by no means over.

Much later I rememberd this well known painting by Rene Magritte: “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” and so I thought of tearing the picture up. But well, in a way this is my “state of the art” anyway. So it stays.

Last year my “state of the art looked like this, subtitled: hommage à Zhang Huan 張洹
state of the art 2020
Probably from 1987 or 1988.

From a time period when I became fairly familiar with Chinese ink wash technique.

When I looked for older self portraits I realize that some are lost – or like in this case – damaged. Looks like I should take better care of my paintings but I tend to treat them like garbage 🙁 I don’t think there is any point in trying to remove the mold stains. So I better give it the title: “state of the art 2050”.

This work is from my early stage but it means a lot to me. I took one of my best friends into the picture, he is standing in the door and he soon died tragically afterwards.

As said I did many self portraits. The first work in a cycle is always interesting. What can I say? I was just very young ……

More of this kind can be seen at: portfolio
16 comments on “state of the art – a couple of self portraits”
swabby429
These self-portraits reveal your inner and outer nature. I’d say they are a step above what most of us have–selfies or posed photographic self-portraits.
zettl.fr
Doing portraits is rather easy when we go for the outer appearance. To express the inner life of a model is more difficult.
Wendy
This is an interesting idea. I enjoyed looking at them all
zettl.fr
Thank you very much! I just discovered your blog and I am most impressed by your work!
vermavkv
very nice .. very impressive..
zettl.fr
Thank you so much!
anotherkatewilson
These are fascinating. The array of styles is really amazing.
zettl.fr
Thank you so much for you kind comment! I am very happy to hear you like it!
bertri13340
Je découvre ce blog, parfaitement réussi et intéressant. J’imagine la rigueur du travail produit. Bravo et bonne fin de semaine à vous !
zettl.fr
Thank you so much for your interest and kind words! They mean a lot to me. All the best!
Stacie
This is so powerful I especially feel attracted to the first image I really felt that! I feel moved by this post. Just had to say.
Zettl
Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a lot to me.
Bon Repos Gites
All are striking images!
Zettl
Thank you so much! Well, as those are self portraits I guess I must be a striking person 🙂
Bon Repos Gites
Haha, well, that is the obvious inference! 😉 You paint very well indeed!
state of the art 2022 – Friedrich ZETTL 狐胡
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