Autoportret 

Jacek Malczewski created this self-portrait in 1915, a canvas imbued with symbols that echo through the corridors of time. The radiant figure beside him, crowned with a star, brings to mind classical depictions of celestial beings—a guiding muse perhaps, or a symbol of divine inspiration. This iconography, rooted in ancient beliefs, reappears throughout art history. Consider the winged victories of antiquity, or even the star-adorned figures in Renaissance paintings. Here, however, the angel seems to be related to a different archetype, with a psychological resonance: a guardian spirit who watches over and guides the artist through turbulent times. Such symbolic gestures are not static; they evolve, absorbing the anxieties and aspirations of each era. As you gaze upon Malczewski's angel, remember its countless iterations. It’s a powerful reminder of how cultural memory reshapes itself in art.