Zelfportret van David Bles Possibly 1859

David Bles created this self-portrait drawing with graphite in 1859. The composition draws us in with its delicate lines and balanced asymmetry. Bles’s gaze is soft but direct, rendered with focused precision that contrasts with the looser hatching defining his hair and clothing. The careful application of light and shadow not only shapes his features but invites a deeper psychological reading. The play of light across his face—bright on one side, subtly shadowed on the other—creates a sense of depth and introspection. It's as if the drawing’s structure mirrors the artist’s own exploration of self. The rough edges of the paper and the visible sketch lines are not flaws but integral to the artwork’s form, reminding us of the artist’s process and the act of creation itself. In its quiet way, this self-portrait presents an ongoing dialogue between the artist, his image, and the viewer, inviting us to continually reinterpret its meaning.