The preoccupation with the self has never been as pronounced as it is today and is a constant companion of our everyday lives. The many selfies that almost everyone now takes of themselves and constantly has at the ready on their smartphone or posts on social media are paradigmatic of this phenomenon of the young 21st century. They show us everywhere and at all times in quickly snapped photos or immortalise meticulously composed self-portraits. The question of how the self is portrayed is therefore more topical than ever. In art, too, the depiction of the self by the artist is a recurring theme in a wide variety of forms. Within portrait painting, self-portraits are therefore among the most fascinating examples of this genre.

The protagonists can portray themselves as they perceive themselves or as they want to be seen by others. In the past, the aim was to give as exact an image as possible of one's own physiognomy, but in the course of development, more and more physical and emotional sensitivities, self-reflection and socio-critical components were expressed. This year's exhibition will show how the artists of the Nötsch Circle dealt with this subject and which aspects they incorporated into it. In addition, works by fellow artists of their time offer a comparison and simultaneous insight into stylistic and thematic tendencies in this special area of portrait art. A bridge to the present will be built with self-portraits by the artist Helga Druml, who now lives in Nötsch.

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Exhibition curator: Sigrid Diewald