Self-portrait as St John the Baptist
Willink’s lean body and the bare landscape lend this painting an ominous atmosphere. On the eve of the Second World War (1939-1945) Willink portrayed himself as John the Baptist, the prophet who preached virtue and righteousness and who considered baptism as salvation from all sins. With this internalized selfportrait, Willink seems to want to ward off the menace and turmoil of the times.