Artwork

Self-Portrait with Portrait of Delacroix

Self-Portrait with Portrait of Delacroix, by George Sand, 1845
Self-Portrait with Portrait of Delacroix, by George Sand, 1845

Self-Portrait with Portrait of Delacroix is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Sand. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1845, this drawing by George Sand presents a dual portrait composition. It is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The work juxtaposes two male figures, each rendered in a distinct pose, against a light-toned background that emphasizes their outlines.

Subject & Meaning

The left panel depicts a profile view of a moustachioed man wearing a hat, gazing toward the right, while the right panel shows a front-facing figure with dark hair, a moustache and a white shirt, looking directly ahead. The pairing suggests a dialogue or contrast between the two sitters, though their identities remain unspecified.

Technique & Style

Sand employs a loose, sketch‑like approach, using bold contour lines and limiting interior detail. The minimalistic rendering and the light background create a sense of immediacy, characteristic of Romantic-era drawing practices that favored expressive gesture over precise finish.

History & Provenance

The drawing dates to the mid‑1840s, a period when Sand was active in literary and artistic circles. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European drawings collection.

Context

Situated within the Romantic movement, the work reflects the era’s interest in individual expression and emotional immediacy. Though primarily known as a writer, Sand’s involvement in visual arts aligns with the period’s interdisciplinary experimentation among artists and intellectuals.

Artist & collection

Artist

George Sand

George Sand (1804–1876) was a French artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.