Sheet with two studies: a tree, and the upper part of the head of the artist wearing a velvet cap 1859

Léopold Flameng created this untitled etching on paper, presenting a dual study of nature and self-portraiture. Notice the stark contrast between the delicate, spidery lines of the tree and the denser, more shadowed rendering of the artist’s head. The composition is divided, yet unified by Flameng’s consistent use of line and tone. This division invites a structuralist reading, opposing the natural world, represented by the tree, with the internal world, suggested by the self-portrait. Look closely at how Flameng uses hatching to build form and volume, particularly in the velvet cap. This technique not only defines the material quality of the fabric but also engages with the broader discourse of representation and identity. The formal elements here serve a function beyond mere aesthetics, contributing to a deeper engagement with the self and its place within the environment.