5 Melancholy Self-Portraits From An Artist With Alzheimer’s

Even the most insidious disease can breed a kind of beauty.

1. “Blue Skies” - 1995

The first self-portrait Utermohlen drew after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Image by Courtesy of Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris

2. “Red” - 1996

Utermohlen seems to mourn his sense of self, a shadow of his former life.

Image by Courtesy of Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris

3. “Yellow and Green” - 1998

Two years later, Utermohlen draws his world as shrinking. He peers out as if trapped behind prison bars.

Image by Courtesy of Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris

4. “Erased Self-Portrait” - 1999

With limited motor control it becomes difficult for Utermohlen to paint.

Image by Courtesy of Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris

5. “Head I” - 2000

One of the last images ever drawn by Utermohlen.

He would live for another seven years before passing away on March 21st, 2007.

You can read all about his life and work on his website.

Image by Courtesy of Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris