Self-portrait 1986

This self-portrait by Anton Azbe, painted with oils, has a way of making you feel like you've just walked into a dimly lit, smoky room. Azbe’s colour palette is quite restrained, but look at the subtle shifts in tone that bring his face to life. The paint is applied in thin layers, almost transparent in places, allowing the light to filter through. I love how he captures the texture of his skin with these delicate touches. Notice the way he’s holding the cigarette, how casual and yet deliberate it seems. The red ring stands out, a small detail that hints at a life beyond the canvas. The brushstrokes around his eyes are particularly telling, suggesting a depth of experience, a hint of melancholy perhaps. It’s a masterclass in subtlety, a conversation between light and shadow. You could say he's got something in common with someone like Whistler, both artists interested in the poetry of everyday life. It’s a reminder that art is always a dialogue, a continuous exchange of ideas across time.