Artist With Alzheimer’s Drew A Series Of Self-Portraits Documenting The Disease’s Progression

Anna Randal for Art-Sheep

Painter William Utermohlen was born in Philadelphia in 1933. In 1962 and after finishing his studies, he moved to London where he met and married, art historian, Patricia Utermohlen. In 1995 the artist was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and decided to start documenting how the disease would progress, how it would affect his mind and how this would translate on the canvas.

Utermohlen started painting himself until he no longer remembered his own face. This sad series of self-portraits, showcases how difficult living with Alzheimer’s must be. A disease the spreads rapidly and affects a person’s memory and state of mind. “In these pictures we see with heart-breaking intensity William’s efforts to explain his altered self, his fears and his sadness.” said Utermohlen’s widow, Patricia.

Self-portrait, 1967