Self-Portrait II 1881

This is "Self-Portrait II", painted in 1881 by Mihaly Munkacsy. Here, Munkacsy presents himself with a penetrating gaze, a symbol of introspection and artistic self-awareness. The direct stare, reminiscent of Roman portrait busts, embodies a timeless quest for self-understanding, an exploration of identity that echoes through the ages. The intensity of Munkacsy's gaze reminds me of Caravaggio's "David with the Head of Goliath", where the subject confronts the viewer with a raw, unflinching honesty. Across time, the motif of the direct gaze becomes a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It stirs our own unresolved questions, anxieties and aspirations, tapping into a collective memory of what it means to be human. Observe how this gaze has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.