Portrait of an Artist (Self-Portrait?) c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is Alfred Stevens' "Portrait of an Artist (Self-Portrait?)" held at the Harvard Art Museums. I find the mood contemplative, maybe a little melancholy. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers of the artist’s inner world, doesn't it? The cigarette smoke, the loose sketch style... almost a confession. I imagine him pausing, perhaps wrestling with a creative block or simply observing the world through a haze of thought. Do you sense that intimacy too? Editor: Definitely. It feels like a stolen moment, very personal. Curator: Exactly! It's as if we've caught him off guard. And maybe that's the truest portrait of all, wouldn't you say? Editor: I think you're right, it is quite revealing. Thanks for sharing your insight! Curator: My pleasure! It's always fascinating to see how art can hold up a mirror to the soul, isn't it?