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Oil on cardboard. Signed center right: “ŠI”. Ladislav Šíma's self-portrait is stunning for its loose Fauvist brushstrokes and vibrant color scale. The bright summer light penetrating through the yellow hat and the play of light with a range of blue shades on the artist's coat, satin necktie and waist sash are masterfully executed. The ground is exposed through the greens and expressive strokes in the background, providing the painting with a very modern appearance. Ladislav Šíma studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague under Professors Bukovac, Roubalík and Thiele. He was a member of the Osma art group and in 1911 he became a founding member of the Group of Fine Artists. At the First and Second Exhibitions he was shown alongside Filla, Procházka, Špála, Čapek and others. His fine art focused on figurative and landscape painting. He is primarily associated with the region around Benešov, where he spent many years working as a high school teacher and where he found many subjects to paint. In his later years he mainly turned to nature for inspiration. Restoration analysis: Tomáš Berger. Restoration report enclosed.