Self-portrait 1935

Oleksa Novakivskyi's self-portrait is like a backstage pass to the artist's inner world, painted with what looks like oil paint. Novakivskyi isn't trying to hide anything; the brushstrokes are visible, alive! The browns and greens dance together, creating a sense of depth and moodiness. Look at the way he's rendered his hand against his face. The paint is built up in layers, almost like he's sculpting with color. You can practically feel the weight of his hand and the texture of his beard. It's raw and honest, like a painter's confession. There's a touch of Van Gogh in the intensity and the swirling brushwork, but Novakivskyi's got his own voice, too. It reminds us that art is a conversation, an ongoing dialogue between artists across time.