Self-portrait 1913

This self-portrait print was made by Jan Mankes, we don't know exactly when. Look at the subtle, almost translucent quality of the ink—it’s like he's barely there, a ghost of himself. I wonder what he was thinking when he etched this plate? Maybe he was feeling vulnerable, exposing himself to the world. And the lines! So delicate, so precise. Notice the way he captures the planes of his face with such economy. It reminds me of some early modernist prints. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the plate, carefully carving out each line. It's a meticulous process, demanding patience and skill. There’s something quite haunting about it, too. His gaze is direct, but there's a sadness in his eyes, a sense of fragility. Artists are always in conversation with each other, borrowing and riffing on ideas. It's all part of the ongoing evolution of art, a way of seeing the world and making sense of it all.