Self-Portrait V 1955

Jirí Balcar’s 1955 etching *Self-Portrait V* is a powerful self-portrait in which the artist depicts himself seated in a room, his gaze fixed on the viewer. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture, while the overall composition evokes a sense of introspective solitude. This is a work that is both personal and universal, capturing the essence of the artist’s struggle with identity and self-discovery. Balcar was a prolific artist who tragically died in 1968, leaving behind a legacy of works that explored themes of self-expression, mortality, and the human condition.