Self Portrait 1909

Gwen John probably made this self-portrait with graphite sometime between 1907 and 1909. The drawing feels so personal, almost like a whisper. It’s all about line here: soft, tentative marks that barely define the subject. Look at the way she renders her face, with areas of shadow and light sketched in to give it volume. You can almost feel the give and take as she works to capture her likeness. And those eyes, gazing out at us with such quiet intensity. Her gaze reminds me of the portraits of Paula Modersohn-Becker. For me, this piece captures the essence of John's work, which is all about the intimate, the introspective, and the beauty of simplicity. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t have to shout to be heard.