Self-Portrait, 10th plate 1905

This self-portrait was made by Alphonse Legros using a sanguine crayon, a reddish chalk. I find it interesting how Legros uses a single color to create depth and form, relying solely on the density and direction of his marks. The texture of the paper, combined with the layering of the crayon, gives the drawing a soft, almost hazy quality. See the way he uses short, repetitive strokes around the head to create a sense of volume and light? It’s like he’s sculpting with the crayon, building up the form bit by bit. The direction of these strokes also creates movement, as if the air itself is circulating around the figure. Look closely at the beard, the way the lines follow the contours, giving it weight and dimension. It reminds me a little of drawings by Holbein. Though the styles are different there's a similar feel in the precision and attention to detail. Ultimately, art is about conversations across time, each artist building on the ideas of those who came before. And it is in this spirit of exchange and exploration that art continues to evolve and inspire.