Self-Portrait 1971

Periklis Vyzantios drew this self-portrait in 1967, capturing himself in a moment of introspection. The strokes are all urgent, hatching marks that carve out form and shadow. Look at how the artist works around the eyes, digging in to create these dark pools that stare out so intently. I wonder if Vyzantios felt like he was excavating his own soul with each line? You can feel him, an older artist in his 70’s, scrutinizing his own visage, acknowledging the passage of time, but also determined to record his own likeness, to not be forgotten. The muted palette and the way the lines seem to vibrate also creates a feeling of melancholy that makes me think of works by Käthe Kollwitz. Like Kollwitz, Vyzantios gives us a vulnerable glimpse into the human condition, reminding us of the power of art to connect us across time and space. It seems as though they are in conversation, aren't they?