Martin J. Murray (American, 1908–1997) "Self Portrait" Oil, 1977

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Executed in oil on canvas and signed and dated at the lower right, this intimate self-portrait presents Martin J. Murray … Read more Executed in oil on canvas and signed and dated at the lower right, this intimate self-portrait presents Martin J. Murray in three-quarter view against a dark, nearly voided ground that concentrates attention on the sitter’s face and the controlled modeling of form. Murray depicts himself as a middle-aged to older man with swept-back gray hair, wire-rim glasses, and a neatly kept mustache, the expression sober and analytical, with slightly furrowed brow and a direct, appraising gaze. The palette is deliberately restrained—warm ochres, siennas, and muted greens in the flesh tones set against velvety brown-black shadows—allowing the artist to articulate volume through soft transitions rather than hard contour. A loosely handled white shirt collar emerges from a dark jacket, its simplified geometry providing a compositional anchor and a quiet counterpoint to the more nuanced passagework of the face. The surface reads as carefully worked, with blended gradations across the forehead, cheeks, and neck that suggest sustained studio attention, while the background remains broad and unobtrusive, reinforcing the psychological immediacy of the likeness. The verso bears a handwritten inventory label identifying the work as “Self Portrait No. II,” supporting the notion that Murray returned to the subject in multiple studies and treated self-portraiture as an ongoing, reflective practice within his larger body of work.

Measurements: 20.125" h x 16.25" w See less