Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Biedermeier artist Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustan’s self‑portrait, executed around 1805, is a miniature work that resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image presents the artist as an older gentleman, his white hair and shirt contrasting with the intimate, close‑up composition that captures him from the chest upward.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is Augustan himself, depicted with a direct gaze that engages the viewer. The choice to portray himself at an advanced age, with stark white hair and clothing, suggests a contemplation of personal identity and the passage of time, common concerns among artists of the early nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a realistic manner, the miniature emphasizes fine detail in facial features and fabric texture. The artist employs subtle shading to model the cheekbones and eyes, while the lack of background isolates the figure, reinforcing the focus on the sitter’s expression and the precision typical of French portraiture in the Romantic era.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1805, the portrait entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, though the exact path of ownership prior to its museum entry remains undocumented in public records. Its presence in the museum’s collection provides insight into Augustan’s self‑representation within his broader oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin
Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin (1759–1832) was a French artist, born in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.
