Self-portrait 1988

This self-portrait was made by Vasiliy Ryabchenko, using what looks like pencil on paper. I wonder what it was like for Ryabchenko to stare at himself in the mirror, trying to capture his own essence with just a few lines. The way he's used hatching on the jacket creates a sense of depth and shadow. It reminds me a bit of Egon Schiele, you know, that raw, unflinching look. The gaze is intense! Maybe he was in a mood that day, questioning himself. I wonder if he liked how it turned out, or if he saw it as a failure. I think of how artists, through their process, are forever in conversation with each other. They get inspired, steal ideas, respond, and keep the dialogue going across time.