Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an ink print by Childe Hassam. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1916, this black‑ink etching on wove paper presents the artist from the waist upward.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1916, this black‑ink etching on wove paper presents the artist from the waist upward. He faces the viewer directly, his expression sober, and his hands grasp several slender objects. The composition is set against a background of decorative paper patterns, a detail that underscores the work’s personal and reflective tone.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is the artist himself, rendered in a straightforward, unembellished manner that invites contemplation of his inner life. By presenting his own likeness with a serious demeanor and holding delicate items, the work suggests a study of identity and the quiet concentration inherent in the practice of making art.
Technique & Style
Executed as an intaglio etching, the image relies on fine line work and careful tonal variation achieved through acid‑etched plates and inked impressions on smooth wove paper. The crisp rendering of the patterned backdrop and the slender objects demonstrates Hassam’s command of line and his preference for clear, controlled compositions.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during the later phase of Hassam’s career, a period marked by a turn toward more intimate subjects. It entered the artist’s own collection before passing to private hands in the mid‑20th century, eventually being acquired by a public institution for its representation of American self‑portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Childe Hassam was an American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes.
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