Who painted Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence)?

Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence) was painted by Joseph Ducreux in 1798.

Where can I see Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence)?

Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence) is held by Nationalmuseum.

What movement is Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence)?

Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence) is associated with French Romanticism.

Artwork

Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence)

Joseph Ducreux , 1798

Selfportrait, called Le Silence (The Silence) is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Joseph Ducreux. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Joseph Ducreux’s oil self‑portrait, titled Le Silence, was completed in 1798. The work shows the artist himself, an older man with white hair, dressed in a brown coat and black hat, his right hand raised to his lips in a gesture that suggests quiet. The muted brown background isolates the figure, emphasizing the expression and the silent command.

Subject & Meaning

In this intimate portrayal Ducreux presents his own likeness while exploring the communicative power of facial and hand gestures. The raised hand to the mouth functions as a visual cue for silence, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between speech and restraint, a theme resonant with the Enlightenment’s interest in human emotion and self‑presentation.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of browns, blacks, and whites. Ducreux’s brushwork renders the texture of the hair and fabric with subtle gradations, while the smooth modeling of the face conveys a serious, contemplative mood. The work aligns with French Romanticism’s focus on individual feeling and dramatic expression.

History & Provenance

Created during Ducreux’s mature period, the portrait formed part of a series investigating expressive gestures. After remaining in private hands, it entered the collection of Sweden’s Nationalmuseum, where it is presently displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of 18th‑century French art.

Context

Ducreux, a Lorraine‑born portraitist active in the late 18th century, worked across pastel, oil, and etching. His career coincided with the turbulent years of the French Revolution, a time when artists increasingly examined personal identity and emotional nuance. Le Silence reflects this shift, emphasizing the inner life of the sitter over formal courtly representation.