Self-­portrait 

Antonio Mancini made this arresting self-portrait using pastel, a medium made of powdered pigment held together with a binder. Pastels offer a directness, a tactile quality very different from oil paint. See how the artist uses short, broken strokes of color. This is a signature technique in pastel work, allowing for a build-up of texture and a sense of immediacy. The rough strokes almost vibrate on the surface, and the weave of the hat above his head, rendered with hatched marks, makes the drawing glow with light. The texture of the paper support also becomes part of the image. Pastel became increasingly popular in the 19th century, prized for its speed and portability. However, it was often seen as a medium for sketches or preparatory studies, not finished artworks. Mancini’s embrace of pastel for a self-portrait elevates it, challenging the conventional hierarchies of art materials and celebrating the beauty inherent in process.