Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Claude Hoin in 1780.

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 Romanticism.

Artwork

Self-Portrait

Claude Hoin , 1780

Self-Portrait is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Claude Hoin. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Claude Hoin’s self‑portrait, executed around 1780, is a modestly sized drawing rendered in red and black chalks combined with pastel on a gray‑brown laid paper. The work presents the artist from the chest upward, set against a muted, light‑gray background that emphasizes the figure without distraction.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as Hoin himself, appears with tightly curled hair, a white high‑collared shirt, and a dark jacket or vest. His gaze is steady and reflective, and a faint smile suggests a quiet confidence, offering a personal glimpse into the artist’s self‑perception during the late eighteenth century.

Technique & Style

Hoin employs a layered approach, beginning with red and black chalks to outline form, then applying pastel that is blended and stumped to achieve a soft, atmospheric surface. The use of laid paper with its subtle texture contributes to the overall dream‑like quality, while the restrained palette underscores the intimate tone of the portrait.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1780, the drawing belongs to the later period of Hoin’s career, a time when French artists increasingly explored pastel as a medium for portraiture. Documentation of its ownership trail is limited, but the work has been catalogued among Hoin’s surviving drawings, confirming its attribution.

Context

In the 1780s, pastel portraiture was gaining popularity in France, valued for its immediacy and capacity to convey delicate tonal variations. Hoin’s self‑portrait aligns with this trend, reflecting both the technical possibilities of pastel and the period’s interest in personal representation among artists.