Not Myself 

Joseph Lorusso rendered "Not Myself" with oil on canvas, a portrait seemingly fractured, echoing deep psychological unrest. The double face, a motif reminiscent of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and duality, here speaks to an internal conflict, a self divided. This theme of the fragmented self resonates across centuries. In Renaissance art, we see similar expressions of inner turmoil in depictions of saints undergoing spiritual crises. Think of Saint Augustine's internal struggles, often portrayed with a face contorted in anguish, mirroring the doubling and distortion we see here. Consider how such imagery touches the observer, tapping into our collective unconscious. The artist captures a moment of profound emotional vulnerability, a timeless human experience. The fractured visage, a symbol of psychological disarray, resonates deeply. Just as ancient symbols evolved, this modern portrayal reflects our ongoing struggle with identity and self-perception in a world of constant change.