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Pyke Koch

Self-portrait, 1936

During his lifetime Pyke Koch (1901-1991) also painted several self-portraits, one of which, entitled Marschgezang (Marching Song), he probably destroyed himself. In it, he wore a black band and marched with his chest bared and holding a flag. The association this raised with the rising tide of fasc ... ism is evident; Koch was fascinated by this ideology, partly fuelled by his stays in Italy during Mussolini’s time. This likeness dates from 1936 and though it might seem fairly neutral it is no ordinary self-portrait. The aristocratic and anti-democratic Koch presents himself here as a ruler. The vantage point is quite low, whereby we look up at his striking head with its sharp features. His face is rendered à trois quarts (in three quarters): partly from the front and also from the side, the most spatial representation in the flat plane. Roman emperors were also depicted in this way on coins. Koch thus places himself in the tradition of ruler portraits. The striking wrought-iron frame with protruding points, designed by Koch himself, contributes greatly to the self-portrait’s remoteness. Text: Myrthe Wesseling, guide and museum host
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Artist
Pyke Koch
Title
Self-portrait
Year
1936
Technique
Oil on panel
Size
32 x 29 cm (h x w)
Type of object
Painting
Copyright
© Pictoright

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