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Self-Portrait

Louis-Léopold Boilly

1832

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Self-Portrait is a 1832 ink by Louis-Léopold Boilly, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Louis-Léopold Boilly
When & what style?: 1832 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows four people with glasses and 1830s-style hair—big curls and high collars. They’re drawn in a loose, sketchy style, almost like a quick study. The lines are soft, and the faces look serious but not stiff. Notice how the artist signed it in the corner: "Boilly 1832." That’s the only clue we get about who made it or when. Next, check out lithography—this is how the drawing was made.