Artwork
Self-Portrait with a Maulstick
Self-Portrait with a Maulstick is an oil painting by the Realist artist Henri Regnault. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The piece functions as both a visual record of the sitter and a statement of the creator's role, emphasizing the intimate connection between artist and image.
The work is a self-portrait that presents the artist himself as its sole figure, with Henri Regnault identified as the main subject. By depicting himself, Regnault asserts his identity and professional status within the painting, using the conventions of portraiture to convey a personal and artistic self-representation. The piece functions as both a visual record of the sitter and a statement of the creator's role, emphasizing the intimate connection between artist and image.
Technique & Style
Self-Portrait with a Maulstick is executed in oil paint on a woven fabric support, consistent with the standard canvas preparation used for mid-nineteenth-century French academic portraiture. The work measures 54.0 by 44.7 centimeters, a modest upright format suited to an intimate self-portrait. Produced in 1863, the painting reflects the handling associated with Henri Regnault's early training, employing oil medium to render the figure of the artist holding the maulstick that traditionally steadies the painter's working hand. The work is catalogued at the Cleveland Museum of Art under accession number 1980.279.
History & Provenance
The painting was completed in 1863 by Henri Regnault and entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection under accession number 1980.279, where it remains housed. No documented commission or preparatory history has been identified in available sources; the work appears as an autonomous self-representation rather than a commissioned piece. It depicts the artist holding a maulstick and is classified as a self-portrait executed in oil on woven fabric. The sources do not provide a chronological record of its exhibition history.
Overview
Henri Regnault's Self-Portrait with a Maulstick, an oil painting created in 1863, presents a direct depiction of the artist himself. This early work captures Regnault with a focused expression, showcasing his youthful appearance and professional tools. The painting is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a significant piece from the artist's developing career.
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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.
