Self-Portrait
ca. 1778–80
Medium
Roulette, engraving, over mezzotint; proof before letters
Dimensions
Plate: 19 x 15 3/4 in. (48.3 x 40 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
Accession Number
49.98.1
Tags
About this artwork
This sophisticated self-portrait print demonstrates Jean Etienne Liotard's engagement with reproductive printmaking late in his distinguished career. Created around 1778-80, this work employs multiple printmaking techniques—roulette, engraving, and mezzotint—to achieve rich tonal effects and subtle modeling. The designation "proof before letters" indicates this impression was pulled before the addition of text, making it particularly prized by collectors. Liotard, best known for his pastel portr...
Art Historical Context
Jean-Etienne Liotard, the renowned Swiss artist of the 18th century captured his likeness in this striking self-portrait print around 1778–80, in a career marked by extensive travels and pastel portrait mastery. Best known for his precise draftsmanship and delicate colors—honed during years in Constantinople—Liotard turned to reproductive printmaking here, showcasing his versatility and allowing wider dissemination of his image. This work reflects the Enlightenment-era fascination with self-representation and the growing role of prints in building an artist's reputation across Europe. Crafted...