Zelfportret c. 1911

This self-portrait was made by Rik Wouters with etching, and look at those delicate lines, a bit like he’s knitting himself into existence. I bet Wouters felt a bit like he was wrestling with himself while making it. You know, how do you capture yourself? It's not just about what you look like but who you are, the stuff inside. The thin lines make it feel almost transparent, like he's trying to see through himself. The hat, though, feels solid, a bit of a mask or maybe just a cozy thing to wear while he figures things out. It’s like he's saying, "Here I am, but who am I, really?" And that's what makes art so cool, right? It’s an ongoing conversation, artists talking to themselves and each other across time.