Zelfportret met vlinderdas 1913

Jan Mankes made this self-portrait with a bow tie as an etching, but it’s really all about the line, isn't it? It's not fussy, but economical, and quietly confident. I love the way he’s used it to define the form, but also to suggest shading. Looking at it, I'm drawn to the area around the eyes, which is so subtly worked. The etching is delicate but somehow still conveys a sense of presence. You get the sense of Mankes really looking at himself, trying to capture something essential about his own character. Mankes reminds me a little of Morandi, in the sense that he’s using a really limited palette – it's essentially monochromatic – and he’s working within a very constrained set of parameters. Like Agnes Martin, he finds so much room for expression within those self-imposed limitations. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about showing everything, but about finding power in holding back.