About the Piece

'Self-Portrait SketchÕ (1993) shows the virtuoso skill of Christian as a painter. The sketch was clearly something the artist executed at speed, not considering the result significant. We note that the board is not in a crisp state with a deep cut into the top right clearly visible. Flecks of paint remain to the bottom right, the hair left impressionistic. Yet, like Rubens himself, a great idol of Christian, the artist is able to capture his visage and indeed his personality with deft skill and awesome power.