Helen Torr

Self Portrait

Self-Portrait is one of three known self-portraits by painter Helen Torr. Of the three, the present work was the only one left undated. Painted in shades of green and blue, the artist’s face emotes a sense of subtle vulnerability. She stares directly at the viewer, emerging from a dark abstracted background.

Torr produced creative works such as paintings, charcoal drawings, and mixed media collage, beginning in the early 1900s. Her production ceased after the death of her husband and fellow artist Arthur Dove in 1946.

Prior to her own death, the artist requested that her paintings be thrown out. While Torr had a turbulent and self-critical relationship with her artistry, her unique style, as witnessed in this depictions of herself, stem from Torr’s skill as an artist.