http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/landow/post/singapore/arts/painters/georgettechen/1.html
"Self Portrait , painted in 1946, testifies well to the
principles Georgette Chen held dear in her art. With a remarkable sense
of detachment, she portrays herself with a disciplined approach to
method while engaging the viewer with the personality behind the face.
The painting is a close-up, full-sized and hauntlngly-real likeness of
herself. Faithful to her ideas of portraiture, Chen composed Self-Portrait
employing strict economy of means -- minimum lines to delineate the
contours of the face and hair, meagre use of colours to differentiate
shades of facial complexion from the simple background and clear
articulation of features such as the curly fringe above her ear and the
starched Chinese collar of her dress. The serene and sensitive
disposition of the artist is expressed in the choice of harmonious
colours -- subtle nuances of pink, beige and brown, and to add interest,
a dash of vermilion on the lips. The sharp, piercing eyes reflect a
steady determination and a keen sense of purpose."
-- Channels & Confluences, ch.
14
Kwok Kian Chow. Channels & Confluences: A History of Singapore
Art. Singapore: National Heritage Board/Singapore Art Museum, 1996.
Plate 42.
