Self-portrait 1910

This is a self-portrait by Tadeusz Makowski, we’re not sure when it was made, and it’s difficult to say with what, but it’s definitely paint on a canvas, or maybe even cardboard. It’s fascinating to think what the artist was going through when they painted it. You know, what was the initial impulse, what colours did he pick up first? The greys and browns give it an introspective feeling, but there’s also something bold about the strokes, especially around the eyes and moustache. It feels like he’s really looking at himself, maybe even challenging himself. Makowski’s got this nervous energy to his brushstrokes, reminding me of Soutine. There’s a sense of searching, of trying to capture something elusive about himself. And I think that’s what painting is all about, isn’t it? It’s a conversation with yourself, with the materials, and with all the artists who came before you.