In one of Beauford’s most widely-recognized and celebrated self-portraits, he stares out at viewers from a three-quarter turn to the right, his left eyebrow raised suspiciously. This painting is a beautiful mélange of reds, blues, and oranges. His skin tone is a swirl of cooler toned shades.

This self-portrait garners curiosity for the expression on Beauford’s face. He looks uneasy, as if he is unsure and questioning something. While this painting is a clear exploration of color and form, a practice in creating abstract compositions during his time in New York, it is also a possible indication of what he was experiencing internally. In 1944, Beauford was struggling with his mental health and with his sexuality, neither of which he could talk about freely with the majority of the people in his life. The wide, gaping look could refer to such problems; his eyes could be the windows to his interior life and thoughts.

Beauford’s self-portrait is reminiscent of Matisse’s Self-portrait in a Striped T-shirt from 1906, in both color palette and body language. Henri Matisse was one of Beauford’s biggest influences, and he may have pulled inspiration from Matisse’s earlier self-portraits.