Man at Night (Self-Portrait) 1948

This self-portrait, *Man at Night,* was drawn by Lucian Freud using graphite, a material as common as the pencil in your pocket. But look closely, and you’ll see how meticulously Freud worked this humble medium. The varying densities of mark-making suggest that Freud would have spent hours upon hours building up the image in countless layers. Notice the contrast between the smooth planes of his face and the textured background. See how this labour-intensive process defines the artwork's feel, the very subtle transitions of light and shadow. It's a technique that goes back centuries, and it relies on patient craftsmanship. Given that graphite is so inexpensive, the value here lies almost entirely in Freud’s time and concentration, the value he poured into this work. This contrasts the rapid cycles of industrial production, highlighting the inherent worth of skilled human effort. The social value is in the work itself, the labor it took to make it. Freud’s drawing shows us how even a simple material can yield complex and meaningful art.