Self-portrait with mustache and glasses, seen from the frontv 1915

Editor: This is Jan Mankes' "Self-portrait with mustache and glasses," made in 1915 with pencil. I’m struck by the incredible detail he achieves with just pencil. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Focusing on the materiality, notice how Mankes utilizes the inherent qualities of graphite and paper. It is not just a likeness but a product of labor and available material. The even hatching across his jacket suggests a conscious attention to process. Why pencil and not paint during this time of turmoil, do you think? Editor: Maybe it was about accessibility and affordability, due to WWI, a stark commentary using readily available materials. Curator: Precisely! It transcends a simple self-representation, reflecting the sociopolitical context through material choice. Mankes, through the very act of choosing humble materials and detailed execution, offers us a window into the means of production during a tumultuous era, rather than solely showcasing artistic genius or a fixed identity. Notice the lack of adornment or glamour typically associated with self-portraits. What does that say to you? Editor: So, it becomes less about individual expression and more about commenting on the constraints and possibilities of the materials at hand and reflecting reality during wartime. Curator: Exactly. The work reframes our understanding; it is a record of material accessibility, reflecting not just the artist’s hand but the wider socio-economic landscape shaping his artistic possibilities. Editor: That makes me see the piece completely differently now. It's less about Jan Mankes, the man, and more about the statement on resources available and how this affected art. Curator: I agree, this piece helps see how context defines production.