The profile (Sarajevo, autumn 1990) 1990

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this drawing with pastels in Sarajevo in the autumn of 1990; you can see the artist’s signature clearly at the bottom right. The way Krupa uses pastel is so interesting, like he's building up the image from pure tone. It feels like he’s feeling his way around the form, gently coaxing it into existence. Look at the soft focus around the edges of the face, how the features emerge from this haze of blended color. The overall effect is dreamlike, almost melancholic. I'm drawn to the area around the eye; notice the contrast between the light falling on the cheekbone and the shadow under the brow. It gives the face depth and intensity, and the gaze is really compelling. This work puts me in mind of Lucian Freud. I see a similar interest in the human form. Both artists have a commitment to exploring the inner lives of their subjects. Ultimately though, it remains beautifully enigmatic.