Within Wolfgang Tillmans’ all-encompassing photographic practice, he is well-known for his candid, intimate and honest portraits, usually depicting those closest to him. However, in Selbst Portrat, the sitter becomes the artist. This self-portrait although a contemporary work, is very much rooted in the traditional fashion of artist’s before him such as Rembrandt. The viewer sees Tillmans at ease, showing barely no type of emotions, remaining in control of the shot englobed by the throne-looking armchair. Tillmans is able to produce images that are disquieting through their unstable use of the familiar and the unknown – describing his work, he has said, “I want the pictures to be working in both directions.”