Self-Portrait

The Self-Portrait is a powerful print created by Camille Pissarro between 1885 and 1896. This intimate study utilizes the highly technical process of zinc etching combined with aquatint, executed on light tan wove paper, showcasing Pissarro's dedicated mastery of graphic arts. During this critical phase of his career, the artist extensively explored printmaking, favoring mediums that allowed for subtle variations in texture and shadow. The use of aquatint here provides rich, continuous tonal areas, lending the image a depth and sobriety often absent in simpler line etchings, effectively translating his painterly concerns into the discipline of prints.

Executed during a transitional decade in 19th-century France, this piece captures the renowned Impressionist artist later in life, reflecting the intense introspection typical of the self-portrait genre. The date range places the creation of the print concurrent with Pissarro's brief yet rigorous experimentation with Neo-Impressionist theories, followed by his return to a looser, Impressionist style.

Pissarro’s choice to create this image reflects his commitment to documentation and self-analysis. The print focuses tightly on his face, emphasizing the rugged texture and psychological gravity achieved through the delicate manipulation of etching lines and the deep blacks provided by the aquatint. As a work created by one of the central figures of Impressionism in France, this graphic piece remains an important record of the artist's life and technical skill. The work is currently held in the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it contributes to the institution’s holdings of significant public domain prints.