Who painted The Artist at 17 Years?

The Artist at 17 Years was painted by Henri Fantin-Latour in 1892.

Where can I see The Artist at 17 Years?

The Artist at 17 Years is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Artist at 17 Years?

The Artist at 17 Years is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

The Artist at 17 Years

Henri Fantin-Latour , 1892

The Artist at 17 Years is a print by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1892, *The Artist at 17 Years* is a print by French painter and lithographer Henri Fantin‑Latour. Though celebrated for his still‑life and group portrait work, this piece offers a personal glimpse, portraying the artist himself as a teenager. The composition is rendered in profile, the figure illuminated against a deep, shadowed backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The work functions as a self‑portrait, explicitly noted by Fantin‑Latour as depicting himself at the age of seventeen. The turned head and hand resting near the chin suggest a moment of contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the youthful introspection of an artist on the cusp of his professional life.

Technique & Style

Fantin‑Latour employs a stipple technique, building hair and shadow with countless tiny dots that create a grainy, almost fuzzy surface. This method, combined with strong chiaroscuro contrasts, models the face in three dimensions, allowing light to emerge from the darkness and emphasizing the delicate transition between illuminated and shadowed planes.

History & Provenance

Executed toward the end of Fantin‑Latour’s career, the print reflects his continued experimentation with printmaking methods. While primarily known for oil paintings, this piece demonstrates his lithographic skill. It has remained within collections that focus on 19th‑century French graphic art, documenting the artist’s self‑reflective practice.

Artist & collection

Artist

Henri Fantin-Latour

Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour (French pronunciation: ; 14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.