Self-portrait with Daughters 1754

Antoine Pesne’s "Self-Portrait with Daughters," likely created in the mid-18th century, offers a glimpse into the artist’s life through its formal composition and symbolic elements. The painting is structured around a pyramidal arrangement of figures, stabilizing the subjects within the canvas. Pesne, palette in hand, stands to the left, his gaze directed towards us. His daughters are positioned behind him, completing the triangular form. The colour palette is dominated by rich, warm tones and soft lighting, giving the portrait an intimate and familial quality. The textures are carefully rendered, from the velvet of Pesne’s coat to the delicate lace of his daughters’ dresses. The arrangement of figures and objects within the space may represent the artist's world—his work and his family life. The interplay of gazes between the figures and the viewer creates a complex network of relationships that invites the audience to engage with the artist's world. Pesne’s work invites us to consider the various layers of meaning embedded within this formal arrangement.