Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1898.

Where can I see Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Self-Portrait

Paul Cezanne , 1898

Self-Portrait is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Paul Cézanne’s 1898 self‑portrait is executed as a black lithograph.

About this work

Overview

Paul Cézanne’s 1898 self‑portrait is executed as a black lithograph. The image presents a bearded man in a flat cap, arm tucked with a large sheet of paper or canvas, gazing directly ahead. Rendered with swift, loose lines, the work conveys immediacy rather than finish, offering a candid glimpse of the artist’s own likeness.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is unmistakably Cézanne, identifiable by his characteristic beard and cap. Holding a sheet suggests the artist’s preoccupation with his practice, while the turned‑up collar and steady stare impart a sober, introspective tone. The composition functions both as a literal self‑representation and as a subtle commentary on the artist’s working life.

Technique & Style

Created through lithography, the print originates from a grease‑treated stone or metal plate that transfers ink onto paper. Cézanne’s handling is notably brisk; the lines are fluid and unrefined, emphasizing gesture over detail. This raw execution aligns with the medium’s capacity for rapid, expressive marks, contrasting with the more polished oil paintings for which he is known.

History & Provenance

The lithograph dates to the final years of Cézanne’s career, a period when he explored printmaking alongside his canvases. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his late prints and appears in several scholarly listings of his graphic output, confirming its authenticity and place within his oeuvre.

Context

By the late 1890s, lithography was gaining popularity among avant‑garde artists seeking reproducible yet artistically controlled media. Cézanne’s foray into this medium reflects his broader experimental spirit, intersecting with contemporary movements that valued the immediacy of drawing and the democratization of art through prints.

Legacy

While not as frequently reproduced as his paintings, this self‑portrait contributes to a fuller understanding of Cézanne’s self‑image and his engagement with print techniques. It offers scholars insight into his working methods and the visual language he employed beyond the canvas, enriching the narrative of his artistic development.