Self-Portrait, Laughing (Le rieur) 1791

Editor: This is Joseph Ducreux's "Self-Portrait, Laughing," created in 1791. It's a print, an engraving actually. I'm struck by the seeming informality of it, especially compared to other portraits of the time. It's as if he’s sharing a joke with us. What do you make of it? Curator: Oh, I find Ducreux endlessly fascinating. Look closely – the lines of the engraving dance, almost mimicking the way laughter crinkles the face. He was trying to capture a fleeting moment, wasn't he? But it's more than just a simple laugh, isn’t it? It’s knowing, perhaps even a touch subversive for its time. Considering his role as painter to the court, imagine capturing himself not in regal repose, but caught mid-mirth. It raises questions about representation, identity and power, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Subversive...I hadn't really thought about it that way. So it's a deliberate act, this capturing of a spontaneous moment? Curator: Precisely! In an era of stiff, idealized portraits, this almost feels… real. He's playing with expectations, bending the rules a little, showing us that even someone connected to the court can be, well, human and flawed and genuinely amused. Makes you wonder what he was truly laughing about, doesn’t it? And isn't it amazing how an engraving, with its precise lines, can convey such warmth? Editor: That makes so much sense. It feels like he is looking past you, but then there is the subtle curve in his lips like a secret only you are privileged to receive. Curator: And, isn't that a powerful way to turn history painting and portraiture on its head? We come away feeling like we know more than perhaps we should. A true feat! Editor: This gives me a new perspective on Neoclassical art and the artist himself, beyond its common representation. I learned to see it for its innovative technique and expressive qualities. Curator: It's truly refreshing, isn't it? The print makes you ponder how Ducreux wanted to show off not only a man but his human traits in such delicate but impactful expression.