Na Hye-sŏk (나혜석), aka Na Hyeseok, is considered to be the first feminist writer and painter of Korea and also one of the first to adopt a Western style of painting within the country. Na also forayed into feminist novels and short essays to criticize the marriage practices of her time. Her art name was Jeongwol (정월) and this painting was made in 1928 after her journey around the world and a year-long stay in Paris, France in 1927. “Self-Portrait” was the beginning of a period during which she incorporated Fauvist sentiments and style. By painting herself in a calm, neutral state, Na calls back to her role as a leader of the sin yeoseong (신여성 or “new women”) movement in Korea and more broadly, her longing for personal and social freedom as a young woman in an ever-changing nation under brutal Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945). It is difficult to find any likeness to Korean female conformity in Na’s self-portrait. She emphasizes her identity as a modern, educated, independent woman by wearing “modern” clothing instead of a traditional Korean hanbok. Her 1920s hairstyle is styled into soft waves with two buns in the back. Her make-up is also more westernized, with harsh contour, heavy blush, arched eyebrows, and dark eyeshadow. The dark palette of the background blends with Na’s hair and dress to create a flat surface. Her partially shadowed face, dark & deep eyes, and slightly pursed mouth convey weariness and agony. In addition, her large eyes and high nose bridge are reminiscent of western features. The influence of Cubism is clear in the prominent Westernized facial bone structure. Even though she looks both western and modern in terms of appearance and attire, the darkness in this painting's coloring (black, silver, brown, peach) likely shows how Na, as a “New Woman” in a patriarchal and complicated society of early 20th century Korea, was stuck within a system where conservative ideas kept women from achieving significant social changes.

자화상 (Self-Portrait) by 나혜석 / Na Hyesŏk (Korean) - Oil on canvas / c. 1928 - Exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (California) #WomenInArt #art #WomanArtist #artText #나혜석 #NaHyesŏk #WomensArt #Feminist #KoreanArt #KoreanArtist #LACMA #WomenArtists #FemaleArtist #BlueskyArt #신여성 #SinYeoseong