His Beatitude Benedictos I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem 1973

Oskar Kokoschka made this portrait of His Beatitude Benedictos I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, using crayon. I love the energy of the mark making, it feels like it was done alla prima, in one sitting. There’s a sketchiness and immediacy to the marks that suggests the artist was trying to capture not just a likeness, but also something of the Patriarch’s essence, maybe even his soul. The crayon is applied with varying degrees of pressure, creating a range of tones and textures that give the portrait depth and dimension. Look at the way the lines are built up to create the shadows under the Patriarch’s eyes and around his mouth. You can really feel the weight of those marks, the physical effort that went into making them. Kokoschka's expressionistic style reminds me of Egon Schiele, who was also interested in capturing the psychological states of his subjects. It’s like they are both channeling a similar kind of raw, unbridled emotion in their work. Ultimately, I think this piece is a testament to the power of drawing as a means of expression and communication. It shows us that art doesn’t have to be perfect or polished to be meaningful.