Self Portrait in Hiding Place | Felix Nussbaum | 1944

Felix Nussbaum’s "Self-Portrait in Hiding Place" (1944) captures the claustrophobic despair and constant fear of discovery that defined the final months of his life while in hiding from the Nazis. The composition is stark and intimate, with Nussbaum depicted in a cramped, dimly lit room, his face filled with a haunting blend of resignation and anxiety. His hollow eyes stare out, as though anticipating the inevitable, yet they also carry a lingering trace of defiance, confronting the viewer with the harsh reality of his existence. The shadows and muted tones enhance the oppressive atmosphere, symbolizing the suffocating fear of living under the threat of death. The small space, devoid of comfort or escape, mirrors his psychological entrapment as a hunted man. This self-portrait is not only a deeply personal reflection of Nussbaum's suffering but also a powerful commentary on the broader tragedy of those persecuted during the Holocaust, making it one of his most poignant and tragic works.