Map of the World – a Face Painting of an old Man in Blue

Map of the world is more than just a mere depiction of continents and oceans. The term “world” holds various meanings, as each individual possesses their own unique world. It is the realm in which they exist and discover their own humanity. The physical embodiment of this realm is their body. For visual artists, the human silhouette serves as a wellspring from which they can draw to convey the essence of mankind – their personality. Other terms such as psyche and character can also be employed here. It is universally acknowledged that humans are dualistic beings. The body is visible and tangible, while the other aspect remains intangible. Fortunately, the body serves as an instrument of expression, capable of conveying a multitude of emotions. Postures and gestures constitute the language of the body, which can reinforce verbal messages or even replace words in certain situations. The human face, in particular, possesses remarkable expressiveness. It acts as a map of one’s personal world, which becomes more intricate with the passage of time. Each day, month, and year etches lines upon it – wrinkles. These lines run parallel from the eyes, cascading down the face, intersecting with those on the cheeks, and eventually merging with the ones on the neck. Together, they form a grid of directions and paths. Yet, the human face remains an enigmatic map that defies complete description or documentation due to its dynamic nature. When an artist paints, they capture only a specific moment, a particular state of this ever-changing map.
The painting “Old Man in Blue” portrays a pensive individual lost in deep contemplation. On his face is a map of the world. (see my other portrait of an old woman. Her face is a map of the world as well.) The protagonist of the painting rests his head upon his hands, as if the weight of his thoughts necessitates support. The composition of the painting is profound and rugged, gradually building up to its final form. I revisited this piece numerous times throughout the years, as it holds a special place in my collection.

Painting a map of a person’s world upon their face is no easy feat. However, there exists a compelling necessity to undertake this endeavour. It is exciting to paint an old man’s portrait, on his face is a map of the world meaning.

I have returned to this image many times. Not only during the so-called normal process, when I paint during one session, then set the painting aside to wait for the paint layer to dry, then paint again. I returned to face painting old man after several years. I made changes, in my opinion – for the better. And here it is, I gave it this title. And when I chose the title I began to wonder: who made the first map of the world?

But that’s another topic, maybe not for an artist, but more for a historian.