Zelfportret 1834 - 1890

This is Charles Verlat’s self-portrait, made using graphite. Note how the artist's face and upper body emerge from a background of hatching lines, contrasting the detailed portrait with an abstract setting. The texture created by these lines brings a sense of depth and movement to the otherwise still image. Consider how the composition directs our gaze. Verlat’s face is slightly off-center, drawing us in through the power of asymmetry. The choice to leave the lower half of the paper blank creates a visual tension, making us question the relationship between what is depicted and what is left unsaid. This work seems to destabilize the traditional notion of a self-portrait. By combining realism with abstraction, Verlat challenges us to consider the self not as a fixed entity, but as something fluid. The hatching and blank space invite introspection, prompting a dialogue between the artist, the artwork, and the viewer.