Zelfportret van René Janssens in zijn atelier 1890 - 1936

This is a self-portrait by René Janssens, made with chalk on paper. It's all about mark-making, that process of slowly building an image, like thinking out loud. The texture here is something else. Look at how Janssens uses these tiny, close-packed strokes to create shadow and volume. The marks, mostly dark, but also filled with delicate light-ish strokes, kind of vibrate. Look at the way the marks fall around his eyes, or the way they form the shadow on his hand. I love how the background gives you just enough information, but doesn’t fuss over details. It’s about feeling, about the experience of the space, rather than precise representation. It reminds me of something Degas might do, that casual, intimate framing of a person in their space. It's a humble piece, inviting endless interpretations.