Self Portrait 1974

This self-portrait was made by Vudon Baklytsky, who was born in Ukraine in 1942, using oil paint. Notice how Baklytsky applied the paint in thick, almost mosaic-like strokes. It’s not a smooth, blended surface, but a collection of individual marks. This approach influences the image itself. The face isn't rendered in a photorealistic manner; instead, the overall effect is achieved through this constructed surface. Oil paint, with its capacity for texture, becomes more than just a medium here. It’s a vital part of the artwork's expression. Baklytsky's technique reveals an engagement with art history but also a distinctive approach to applying paint, almost sculptural in its density. By emphasizing the materiality and process, we can appreciate how it transcends conventional portraiture. It invites a reconsideration of how artists use materials to convey depth, meaning, and emotion, therefore blurring the line between traditional fine art and craft.