Erich Wichman was an intelligent but socially awkward man. A writer and political activist, he liked to hit out against the existing order. His artistry was marred by addiction and financial problems. Using a variety of techniques, Wichman explored a  theme he had been grappling with since 1922: the mask. In this Self-portrait, he shows his face in the form of a mask. Not to conceal anything, it seems, but to expose his twisted inner self. [text 2023]
At the time Wichman decided to become an artist – around 1910 – the visual arts were in a period of experimentation. Besides painting, he also started to experiment with all kinds of chemical processes. He was able to do this in the silver factory of Carel Begeer. In 1922, he found a theme that would dominate throughout the rest of his work: the mask. Wichman lived from hand to mouth. In 1925, a generous donation enabled him to paint a series of paintings. Self-portrait is part of this series. Wichman’s masks are not there to conceal, but rather to expose.