Self Portrait Before Orange

Werner Berg’s 1936 painting Self Portrait Before Orange exemplifies the Expressionism movement through its intense use of color and emotive brushwork. As a self-portrait, the work captures the artist’s exploration of identity and emotional depth, framed notably by the presence of an orange hue that dominates the composition. Berg’s technique emphasizes raw, subjective experience over realistic representation, highlighting the psychological intensity characteristic of Expressionism. The painting’s title directly references the color orange, suggesting its central role in shaping the mood and tone of this introspective genre piece.