The artist and his brush

One of Gene Gould's most fascinating paintings depicts how he imagined Titian, with a brush in his hand, concentrating on a new artistic creation:

"Titian's new painting" by Gene Gould, 2001, oil on wood panel (24" x 28")

Like many other classical painters, Gene Gould has produced dozens of self-portraits during his lifelong artistic endeavor. While many of these self-portraits are very good, there is something unusual about the one shown here below: it first draws your attention on the colorful paint on the artist's brush.

Gene Gould signed this painting just a few months before his death. It is almost as if he knew it was going to be his very last self-portrait. The image he created was clearly not meant to be flattering. Instead, it accurately depicted a tired old man (even illustrating for the first time the fact that the artist lacked the small finger of his right hand). However, that hand holding a rainbowed brush could be seen as the emblem of what Gene always stated as his never-ending goal: "TO MAKE A BETTER PAINTING!".