Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Baptiste Joseph Wicar. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean-Baptiste Joseph Wicar’s self‑portrait, executed as an etching on laid paper in 1797, presents the artist in a three‑quarter profile turned to the left. The image concentrates on his face and shoulders, rendered with a balance of looseness and precision that emphasizes the contours of his short, curled hair and the formal attire of a high‑collared coat and cravat.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a personal statement, capturing Wicar’s own likeness at a mature stage of his career. By choosing a profile view, he aligns himself with classical portrait conventions, while the restrained expression and modest dress suggest a focus on professional identity rather than overt self‑aggrandizement.
Technique & Style
Created through traditional etching, the artist incised lines into a copper plate, which were then bitten with acid to hold ink. The resulting prints on textured laid paper display a characteristic fine ribbing. Wicar’s hand is evident in the fluid yet controlled line work, especially in the rendering of facial features and the drapery of the coat.
History & Provenance
The plate bears the inscription “Wicar f’t Florence L’an 5eme,” indicating that Wicar signed the work in Florence during the fifth year of the French Republic (1797). This signature not only authenticates the piece but also situates its production within the artist’s Italian period, a time when he was engaged with the academic circles of Florence.
Context
The portrait emerges at the close of the 18th century, a period when French artists were increasingly traveling to Italy for study and patronage. Wicar’s choice of etching—a medium prized for its reproducibility—reflects the era’s growing interest in disseminating personal and artistic images beyond the confines of painted portraiture.
Artist & collection
