Self-Portrait in profile 1942

This is Antonio Ligabue’s self-portrait in profile, a small painting, made by an artist who really knew paint. It's like he's wrestling with the paint, almost sculpting it. The way he uses color is wild, not naturalistic, but emotional. Look at the way the red in the background jabs against the sickly yellow of the skin. And the brushstrokes, they're not trying to hide anything; they’re right there on the surface. The paint is thick, built up in layers, especially around the eye. Notice that one bright red, raw, anxious eye glaring out at us? That little dab of red is raw, and it brings the whole painting to life. It’s this messy honesty that makes the painting so compelling. I’m reminded of Van Gogh, especially in that raw, expressive handling of paint, but Ligabue has his own distinct voice. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, artists are always responding to each other, riffing on ideas and techniques, but ultimately forging their own unique paths.