Vajda Lajos Önarckép 1924 Ceruza , Papír 376x255 Mm 1924

Vajda Lajos made this self-portrait on paper with a pencil in 1924. I imagine him looking intensely in the mirror, trying to figure out how to make a mark that matches what he sees, but also how he feels. The pencil lines are a little scratchy and tender, like he’s trying to get to know himself. I know that feeling when you are drawing something that you care about. You kind of hold back and want to get it right. Sometimes you have to let go and just let the marks flow. You can see that he’s really focused on the shape of his eyes, the way the light hits his cheek, and the shadow under his nose. The whole thing has a searching quality, like he’s not just drawing a face, but trying to capture something deeper about himself. Isn't that what we all want from art?