Portrait de l’artiste 1890

Editor: Here we have Jacques-Émile Blanche's "Portrait de l’artiste" from 1890, rendered in oil on canvas. There's something incredibly introspective about this self-portrait, almost melancholy. The cap pulls the whole composition towards the intimate. What do you see in this piece, Professor? Curator: Ah, yes, I feel the quietude too! But look closely - Blanche's gaze is direct, unwavering, almost challenging us to understand the artist beneath the surface, you know? That bowler cap he is wearing - what do you make of it? Editor: It's interesting, that the cap has a hint of informal everyday attire – clashing a little with the fancier formalwear. Maybe he is hinting at the artist’s private vs. public personas? Curator: Precisely! Think about it; around 1890 Paris was aflame with new artistic freedoms - challenging expectations around social and gender conventions! What feelings do those smoky greys and blues give you? Editor: A muted, contemplative mood… a touch of fin-de-siècle weariness? But also a very fashionable melancholy… Curator: Exactly. Now consider this was painted right on the cusp of major artistic shifts...Blanche straddled the older, more formal portraiture world and the burgeoning, experimental Impressionist scene, don't you think? This portrait dances beautifully between the two! Where would it sit for you, and why? Editor: I’m inclined to say a blend! Thanks! The painting felt sad when I started but now I appreciate that it’s really all about a transition in art, not melancholy. Curator: Absolutely! It reveals the spirit of a man navigating the changing world through brushstrokes and colour, isn't it delicious to ponder?