He Painted and Invented the First Selfie in 1524 Then Went Insane

Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror by Parmigianino looks strangely modern.

At first glance, it resembles a fisheye photograph — the kind of distortion created by modern camera lenses.

But this painting was made in 1524.

More than 500 years before selfies, wide-angle photography, or fisheye lenses even existed.

So how did Parmigianino create something that feels so technologically impossible for its time?

In this video, we explore the bizarre realism of Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror, the optical illusion behind the painting, and why many consider it one of the most ahead-of-its-time artworks in history.

From warped reflections to distorted perspective, this Renaissance masterpiece feels less like a painting…

And more like a photograph from the future.

Once you notice the details, it becomes almost impossible to believe it was painted in the 1500s.

#arthistory #renaissanceart #parmigianino #opticalillusion #paintinganalysis #artmystery