Self Portrait 1938

Yiannis Moralis painted this self-portrait in oil, and it feels like a journey into seeing as much as being seen. The canvas seems to hum with muted tones – grays, blacks, and browns that Moralis coaxes into a symphony of shadow and light. Look closely at the way he handles the paint around the eyes; it’s not about capturing a likeness but conveying a mood, a state of introspection. The surface isn’t smooth; you can see the marks of the brush, the way the paint has been layered and blended, almost like a sculptor working with clay. This isn't just a portrait; it's a record of the artist's process. There's a quiet intensity to it, reminiscent of early self-portraits by artists like Courbet. Moralis invites us to contemplate the nature of self-representation and the endless possibilities of paint.