Vajda Lajos Önarckép 1924 Ceruza , Papír 376x255 Mm 1924

Vajda Lajos made this self-portrait in 1924 using pencil on paper. It’s a tender exploration of the self through the simple means of mark-making. Look at how he models his face with densely layered strokes, building up shadows and volume with an almost sculptural approach. You can see the individual lines, hatching and cross-hatching, all contributing to the overall form. The texture of the paper is also visible, adding another layer of depth to the image. The way Vajda uses these simple materials to create such a compelling and intimate portrait reminds me of some of the early modernist portraits by artists like Modigliani, who similarly used pared-down means to capture the essence of their subjects. There’s a quiet intensity to this self-portrait, a sense of searching and questioning that feels very human.