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AUTORITRATTO (SELF-PORTRAIT) [1954]

The self-portrait is one of Ligabue's most frequently painted subjects.
While paintings with animal or natural themes may allude to the emotions and impulses running through the painter's consciousness, in his self-portraits, Ligabue confronts us more directly.
In the imperfections of this face, which he outlines almost mercilessly, we can discern the signs of a challenging existence.
From the earliest months of his life, Ligabue's family faced financial hardship and resulting malnutrition, which led to him suffering from rickets, skull deformities, and stunted physical development. These legacies would impact his body and psyche for years to come. However, the power of these portraits also resides in their depiction of the invisible—such as the sense of loneliness and anguish that the artist communicates through his gaze and certain metaphorical details, like the solitary crow flying in the background.