Artwork
Self-Portrait with a Maulstick
Self-Portrait with a Maulstick is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Henri Regnault. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1980.279
- Credit line
- Bequest of Noah L. Butkin
About this work
Overview
Henri Regnault’s Self‑Portrait with a Maulstick, executed around 1863, is an oil painting that resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a young male figure, presumably the artist, positioned against a dark, unadorned backdrop that isolates his face and upper body for clear visual emphasis.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter holds a maulstick, a short, rounded‑topped wooden rod traditionally used by painters to steady the hand of the drawing hand. By including this tool, Regnault foregrounds his identity as a working artist, subtly commenting on the discipline and technique required in the act of painting.
Technique & Style
The composition relies on strong chiaroscuro, with a concentrated light source illuminating the face, shirt collar and the maulstick while the surrounding space recedes into deep shadow. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional effect and draws the viewer’s eye to the subject’s expression and the artist’s hand.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1860s, the painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are recorded in the museum’s catalog). Its presence in a major American institution reflects Regnault’s continued recognition beyond his brief career in France.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Born in Paris on October 31, 1843, Henri-Georges-Alexandre Regnault was the son of Henri Victor Regnault, the celebrated chemist and professor at the Collège de France.
