Giovanni Boldini 'the Last Self-portrait' Oil On Canvas

This small oil painting on cardboard ( cm. 22,5x17) from the Palermitan Collection, we believe depicts the last self-portrait of Giovanni Boldini, made between 1922 and 1924,  The Master manifests in painting a technique of his own, almost unique, which consists in outlining the shapes with long brushstrokes, preferring dark tones mixed with white color that expertly distributed on the canvas, through shades of dark light contrast, give shape and depth to the subject. A painting by macchiaiolo and impressionista together, sui generis.    
 Another peculiarity in Boldini’s painting is the accuracy of the facial features, in contrast to the extreme speed of the brushstrokes of the rest of the painting. In this small portrait he portrays himself in an intense depiction of artist-gentleman, with red scarf and coral button pendant, holding a cigarette in his right hand. Skillfully the painter, very small in stature, does not portray his entire figure, to streamline the proportions, and softens the facial features that is interpreted with a proud and professional look. 
  An elegant black dress, stands out his character, nalla representation of a refined man, realized and successful.  To confirm a binding attribution but certainly linked to a unique style and character, we find the particular original golden frame, the same typology adopted by the Painter in other small paintings, and on the back of the canvas cardboard, the brand, the street and the address of the best manufacturer of materials for the arts, which is the house 'Paul Denis 19 rue de Medicis -Paris, the one that supplied the paintings to Boldini and De Nittis.  Painting accompanied by a certificate of free export.