Self-portrait 

This is a self-portrait by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, created using red, black, and white chalk on paper. The softness of the chalk allows for blending and layering, creating a sense of depth and volume on a flat surface. The choice of chalk as a medium is itself noteworthy. While Carpeaux was a renowned sculptor, chalk was often used for preparatory sketches and studies. Here, though, it's the final form, giving us insight into the artist's creative process and the relationship between drawing and sculpture. Notice the rapid strokes and the areas of hatching, which build up the form of his face and beard. The texture of the chalk adds a tactile quality to the image, almost as if you could reach out and feel the stubble on his chin. By using chalk, Carpeaux bridges the gap between traditional drawing and sculpture, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of artistic practice. It reminds us that materials and techniques are not just tools, but integral parts of the artistic expression itself.