“A self-portrait. It was after a dangerous eight-hour operation on my lung. Afterward I walked and walked the country around Chadds, getting my strength back, wearing these French cavalier’s boots which belonged to the painter Howard Pyle. As I walked, I had to watch my feet because I was so unsteady. And I suddenly got the idea that we all stupidly crush things underfoot and ruin them – without thinking. Like the weed here getting crushed. That black line is not merely a compositional device it’s the presence of death. Before my operation I had been looking at Albrecht Durer’s works. During the operation they say my heart stopped once. At that moment I could see Durer standing there in black, and he started coming at me across the tile floor. when my heart started, he, Durer – death – receded. So this painting is highly emotional – dangerous and looming. I like it. ”
– Andrew Wyeth