Page 155 - THELIN
P. 155

Diebenkorn, Auerbach, Baselitz. They                       the sublime mountain peak of Grünewald


           all show, making all due allowance, my                     (Altarpiece of Issenheim) and Rubens (The


           directions.                                                Descent from the Cross). These works hit


                                                                      me essentially just like the Dostoïevski’s

           Why do I paint so many self-portraits ? Is it              sentence “If someone proved to me that


           due to narcissism? Certainly not, it is quite              Christ is outside the truth, and that in reality

           the contrary! But it is with the purpose of                the truth were outside of Christ, then I should


           introspection, in order to “auto-analyse”                  prefer to remain with Christ rather than with


           what is hidden behind my face, what is                     the truth”.


           in the therapy I confess to my easel. I


           hamper self-portraits by interferences,                    I do not understand anything in the present

           accessories, disguises, bandages, make up,                 trends of art-design, neither in the more


           muzzles that all try to explain what happens               or less computerized virtuosities of the


           behind the face of mine.  Why do I sign my                 rot-achievements. I stay with a brush, a

           name Philippe? Because of a regression                     tube of colour and with the charcoal pencil,


           to “archaism” though I was only that given                 expressions of my hand on the canvas,


           name!                                                      expressions of central emotions to give to


                                                                      the other one, to the one who will honour me


           It is acknowledged that the Cross or                       brotherly by paying attention to my work.

           crucifixion scenes, ultimate symbols of my


           catholic faith, are very often depicted. This


           so ancient and classical theme in occidental

           paint affect me deeply, with for instance







                                                                                                            PHILIPPE THÉLIN
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