Selfportrait 4

A contemporary figurative painting exploring presence and absence

This figurative painting offers a striking interpretation of the human form through soft abstraction and layered textures. Created with acrylic on paper and mounted on raw canvas, the artwork captures a haunting male portrait that feels suspended between material and immaterial, presence and disappearance.

Every brushstroke suggests movement and erosion. The figure emerges and fades within a tactile surface that feels almost weathered. This effect is not accidental – it’s an intentional dialogue between body and background, between permanence and loss. The raw canvas base contributes to this conversation, adding an organic quality that amplifies the emotional charge of the work.

Technique and emotional resonance

Executed entirely in acrylic, the painting balances expressive gesture and technical restraint. Subtle tones and textural overlays evoke timeworn frescoes, yet the subject is resolutely modern. There’s a sense of psychological tension: the gaze is turned inward, inviting the viewer to reflect rather than merely observe.

Unlike hyperrealism, this figurative painting embraces ambiguity. The identity of the portrayed subject remains undefined, making it a universal face – familiar and unknown at the same time. As a result, the artwork speaks directly to anyone drawn to portraiture with emotional depth and visual sophistication.

For collectors of expressive figurative works

This is a unique original piece, unrepeatable and deeply expressive. It will resonate with collectors interested in contemporary figurative art that moves beyond representation. Ideal for interiors that favor thought-provoking visuals, it adds both character and conceptual weight to a space.

Figurative painting remains one of the most powerful ways to explore human complexity. This piece exemplifies that power – not by showing everything, but by suggesting what lies beneath. A work that speaks softly but stays with you long after the first glance.

Discover more about Dario Moschetta

🖼️ View all original portraits for sale

🎨 Discover more mixed media artworks – Ancient beauty