Artwork
Self-Portrait with His Daughters
Self-Portrait with His Daughters is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Laurent Mosnier. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Created in 1794, this oil painting presents the artist seated with his two daughters in an interior setting.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1794, this oil painting presents the artist seated with his two daughters in an interior setting. The central figure holds a palette and brushes, indicating his profession, while the children stand beside him, accompanied by a small dog. A large mirror and an easel with a canvas occupy the background, framing the domestic scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes the painter’s professional identity with his role as a father. By positioning himself directly toward the viewer, the artist asserts his presence, while the daughters, engaged in quiet conversation, suggest familial intimacy. The inclusion of the dog adds a touch of domestic affection, reinforcing the personal nature of the portrait.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects the refined brushwork and elegant coloration typical of late Rococo portraiture. The artist’s attire—a red coat over a white shirt—contrasts with the muted tones of the daughters’ dresses, highlighting the central figure. Careful rendering of textures, from fabric to fur, demonstrates Mosnier’s skill in capturing material detail.
History & Provenance
Jean‑Laurent Mosnier, a French portraitist who served the Ancien Régime court before relocating to cities such as London, Hamburg, and later St. Petersburg, painted this piece during his Russian period. It entered the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of 18th‑century European art.
Context
The painting belongs to a broader tradition of self‑portraiture that combined personal representation with professional display. In the years surrounding the French Revolution, artists like Mosnier used such works to affirm their status and secure patronage abroad, adapting Rococo aesthetics to new social realities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Laurent Mosnier (French: ; 1743 – 10 April 1808) was a French painter, active in Paris during the Ancien Régime's last decades and then in St.
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