Auto-Retrato 1913

This is a self-portrait by Antonio Carneiro, made in 1913, with pencil and charcoal on paper. Note the artist's focus on the rendering of his own face, with great care to suggest the fall of light across his brow and beard. This is a traditional approach to drawing, where skill is demonstrated through the mastery of light and shadow. However, the material quality of charcoal and pencil also plays a crucial role. The image has a soft, almost blurred effect, achieved by smudging and blending the charcoal. This tactile approach, where the artist directly manipulates the material, is a hallmark of drawing as a medium. The marks are built up through many layers of soft, powdery pigment. This contrasts with the smooth, almost invisible labor often associated with painting. In this self-portrait, Carneiro invites us to appreciate the artistry and the physical labor involved in its making, reminding us that all art is, at its root, a craft.