“Self-Portrait,” created by Norval Morrisseau in 2005, is an exemplary piece within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This artwork belongs to the self-portrait genre, highlighting the artist’s unique style and cultural symbolism.
The artwork features vibrant, contrasting colors that create a striking visual impact. In the composition, the central figure of Morrisseau is depicted in rich hues of red, green, and blue, adorned with stylized elements reminiscent of indigenous symbolism. The background is a bright yellow, freeing the figure to stand prominently within the frame. There is a prominent integration of nature, as seen through the inclusion of birds and plants, which form an organic accompaniment to the figure’s profile. The artist’s technique of bold outlines and flat color planes is distinctly noticeable, lending a sense of simplicity and directness that characterizes Naïve Art.
