Self-Portrait 1952

This intimate self-portrait was painted by Theophrastos Triantafyllidis, though we don't know exactly when. The muted tones and brushstrokes give you a sense of something built up gradually. See how those browns and greens in the face create a subtle, shifting surface, almost like the artist is revealing himself layer by layer. It makes me think about how a painting, like a person, comes into being through a process of constant change. I'm drawn to the way the light catches the cheekbone. It’s not just paint; it's almost like he’s sculpted the face with light. And you can almost feel the texture of the canvas, like you're right there in the studio with him, breathing in the linseed oil. It reminds me of early Van Gogh portraits and the way he seemed to be searching for something essential, something beyond just appearance. Ultimately, it's more of a feeling than a statement, more of a question than an answer.