Self-Portrait
1704
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1704
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting shows a serious-looking person with dark hair and a neutral expression. They’re wearing a dark brown coat over a white collar, with a black bow tie. The background is plain and dark, keeping all focus on the face and shoulders. The brushstrokes are smooth, blending shadows and light to make the face stand out. This style was popular in the mid-1700s. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists used light and shadow this way.
