Self-Portrait (Corot par lui-meme)

Self-Portrait (Corot par lui-meme) is a seminal work by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, created in 1858. Classified as a print, this piece is a primary example of the cliché-verre technique, a hybrid artistic process popular among French artists during the mid-19th century. The cliché-verre method involves drawing or scratching an image onto a sensitized glass plate, which is then exposed onto photographic paper, effectively combining the spontaneity of drawing with the reproducibility of photography. Corot experimented widely with this new medium, producing around sixty prints throughout his career, often documenting his travels or capturing intimate personal subjects.

This particular self-portrait, executed roughly midway through the 1851 to 1875 period, captures the artist himself and reflects the shifting technological landscape impacting artistic production in France. Unlike the expansive landscape compositions for which he is most renowned, this work offers an intimate, focused view of Corot’s persona. His established skill in draftsmanship translates effectively to the medium, resulting in a graphic image defined by strong contrasts and delicate tonal variations where the light interacts with the etched lines. The resulting image is direct and unvarnished, emphasizing the material properties of the innovative medium.

As an early photographic print, this self-portrait illustrates Corot’s commitment to exploring new avenues of representation during a period of intense innovation. Works such as this are often available as public domain resources, allowing broader access to 19th-century French prints and graphic art. This significant piece is currently housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, forming an important part of its holdings of historic prints and early photographic experiments.