Self-Portrait 

Kmetty János, sometime during his life, created this self-portrait using drypoint. Here, the unwavering gaze strikes you first; it is a concentrated stare, reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, where the eyes were believed to be windows to the soul, offering a glimpse into the sitter’s character. But something feels amiss. The face is expressionless, and this very lack of affect is a cultural artifact of its own. Consider how the stern gazes of rulers, captured in marble or paint across centuries, have served to project authority. Here, it is more complicated. János looks stern, but not assertive; there is a haunting ambivalence here. It reflects a society grappling with its own identity in the face of rapid change. It’s a cycle, isn’t it? We search for meaning in the face, only to find ourselves reflected back, questioning our own place in the grand tapestry of time.