Eugene Dan Self Portrait Analysis

The series of potraiture works by Georgette Chen titled “Eugene Chen, 1940” and ”Self Portrait, 1946” are representatives of how artistic elements and the composition of the work used by an artist can establish an emotional connection with the audience. Through these elements, the personalities, character, status of the individual in these portraiture works can be felt strongly by the audience.

In addition, as time passes, Georgette Chen’s shift in artistic expression and stylistic approaches can be felt in her rendering in these portraitures.

Firstly, looking at the work “Eugene Chen,Self Portrait, 1940”, a man can be seen as the main subject of the painting and was depicted in an intimate manner, which can be felt from his relaxed sitting
In addition, details such as the wrinkles on Eugene Chen, the tinge of pink on Georgette’s face and the reflection of her dark-coloured hair in her self portrait work were paid attention to. Minimal lines were being used to delineate the contours of the individual with the background. Colours of different tonal values and shadows were used instead to bring out the three dimensonality of the figure and distinguish the figure from the background. Although realistic, in both works, the handling of brush strokes can still be
Despite this Eastern style, the western influences dominated the painting to a large extent. Heavy brush strokes and texture can be seen on this painting such as how the facial features and the folds in the clothes were handled and treated by Chen. The strong western influences in Chen’s work was said to be due to the exposure of Western Artist influence in her years of education in Paris and New York, one of them being Paul