Self-portrait in profile 1917

Gustav Schraegle made this self-portrait in profile with ink on paper. Just imagine him, poised with his pen, observing his own reflection in the mirror. The marks are so immediate and confident, as if he's trying to capture not just his likeness, but his essence in a few strokes. The lines dance and weave, creating a sense of depth. The details around the eyes are particularly captivating – he’s really looking, looking at himself looking. It's interesting how artists like Schraegle use line to suggest form and volume, and I'm immediately reminded of other modernists like Matisse and Picasso who also played with line in their drawings. There’s a conversation happening across time, with artists inspiring one another. And it all starts with that simple act of looking, and then finding a way to translate what we see into something new.