Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Georg Friedrich Schmidt. It dates from 1752 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Georg Friedrich Schmidt’s 1752 self‑portrait is a black‑and‑white print executed on laid paper. The image presents the artist seated, hands folded, wearing a wide‑brimmed hat and a ruffled collar, his gaze directed forward. The composition combines the crispness of engraving with the tonal qualities of etching, resulting in a sharply rendered likeness.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a conventional portrait, offering a direct visual statement of the artist’s identity and status. By depicting himself in contemporary dress and a composed pose, Schmidt aligns with the eighteenth‑century practice of asserting professional credibility through self‑representation.
Technique & Style
Schmidt employed a hybrid process: he first incised lines into a metal plate with a needle (etching) and then deepened selected areas by cutting with a burin (engraving). This combination yields fine linear detail alongside richer, shaded regions, characteristic of Rococo printmaking’s delicate yet precise aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Born in 1712, Schmidt was active as an engraver, etcher, and pastelist until his death in 1775. The self‑portrait was produced during the middle period of his career, reflecting the technical proficiency for which he was renowned. The print has circulated among collections of German Rococo art, though specific ownership records are limited.
Context
In mid‑eighteenth‑century Germany, printmaking served both commercial and scholarly purposes, and artists often used self‑portraits to promote their services. Schmidt’s work fits within this tradition, showcasing the skillful handling of line and tone that distinguished his portraiture from that of his contemporaries.
Artist & collection
Artist
Georg Friedrich Schmidt was a German engraver, etcher and pastel painter, in the Rococo style.
