Self-portrait, 1962

Self-portrait , 1962
Oil on canvas
23″ x 19″
Detroit Institute of Arts Museum
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

In this self-portrait from 1962, Beauford applies the yellow light from other portraits and abstractions to a painting of himself. The color yellow was synonymous with warmth and happiness for Beauford. In 1962, he was struggling with the aftermath of his trip to Greece and his stay in a psychiatric hospital. Despite the fact that his face in this self-portrait appears somber and serious, his face and sweater glow with yellow light. This portrait represents Beauford’s attempts at lifting his spirits and self-image after such a traumatic experience, applying to himself techniques he used to portray the people and relationships that he loved.