Selvportræt 1917

This is G.V. Blom’s self-portrait at SMK made in 1853 with who knows what, but I'm guessing ink or charcoal to achieve that sepia palette. Look at the wisps of delicate marks—the artist has scrubbed and built up layers to define the contours of his face. I think it might have been a real struggle, kind of like looking in the mirror and trying to come to terms with yourself. Blom is using soft, blurred lines to make the face feel alive, not static. It reminds me a little of Odilon Redon’s portraits, where it feels like the person is emerging from a dream or memory. There’s so much to love about these quiet drawings, where the artist is just trying to capture a likeness. It's a conversation with a history of portraiture and mark making, you know? Each artist leaves their individual stamp, their searching. And we get to search along with them.