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Gallery VII: Faces in Flame
Untitled (BC-117)
William Henry Broome
- Date
- n.d.
- Medium
- Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Museum Panel (Gessobord)
- Dimensions
- 16 × 20 in.
- Credit
- © Broome Collection Inc. · © Broome Holding LLC — Property of the William Henry Broome Collection. This artwork forms part of a privately held archival collection. Unauthorized reproduction, publication, photography, digitization, AI training, licensing, or commercial use is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved by Broome Holding LLC and affiliated entities.
Curator’s reflection
In this striking self-portrait, William Henry Broome presents himself in a moment of unrestrained expression, mouth open, hair ablaze, eyes behind luminous glasses as if caught between a cry and a laugh.
The work radiates energy, spontaneity, and inner fire. The vibrant palette of orange, pink, and yellow pulses with movement, creating a sense of emotional release and creative eruption. Broome does not hide behind restraint; he steps fully into the moment, allowing us to witness the exuberance and turmoil of his inner world.
This painting invites us to consider the many faces of creativity, the joy, the madness, the freedom of honest expression. In this unguarded instant, Broome captures the essence of being alive to one's own imagination.
It is a celebration of the artist's spirit-bold, fearless, and unapologetically himself.
Looking closer
- Broome's impasto technique is masterfully evident in this self-portrait. The bold, expressive strokes and thick application of paint create a dynamic, almost sculptural surface. The fiery palette conveys intensity and emotional release, while the open mouth and radiant hair suggest a moment of pure expression and liberation-an invitation for the viewer to feel the artist's spirit in its rawest form.
A moment to reflect
To express is to be free to let color and emotion speak when words are not enough. He left more than paintings. He left a life painted in brushstrokes.