Self-Portrait

About this artwork

Pietro Testa's *Self-Portrait*, an etching from around 1645, offers a captivating glimpse into the introspective world of a 17th-century Italian. Measuring just 8 15/16 × 6 5/8 inches, this intimate print captures Testa presenting himself directly to the viewer, a bold convention in self-portraits that allowed artists to showcase their skill and individuality amid the competitive Roman art scene. Etching, Testa's chosen medium, demanded masterful control: acid biting into a metal plate to create fine, expressive lines unattainable in other print techniques. This process reflected years of specialized training and the era's emphasis on technical virtuosity, bridging drawing and printmaking. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, part of the Elisha Whittelsey Collection since 1951, the work embodies Italian artistic traditions—precise draftsmanship and intellectual depth—while serving functions from personal expression to patron display. Through its survival, this self-portrait connects us to 17th-century values: the artist's self-awareness, cultural iconography, and the drive for beauty. It invites modern visitors to ponder how such prints democratized art, sharing elite sensibilities with wider audiences.