Self-Portrait wih Pipe 1879

Marcellin Desboutin created this self-portrait with a pipe using drypoint. Desboutin was a French painter and printmaker known for his portraits of Parisian society. The portrait gives us a glimpse into the artist's world, capturing not just his physical appearance but also aspects of his identity. The pipe, the hat, and the unbuttoned shirt, all speak to the cultural norms of male portraiture at the time, a time of immense social change. The piercing gaze confronts us, inviting a direct connection. The artist seems to be asking, "What do you see when you look at me?" He seems at once vulnerable and self-assured. The portrait exists in a moment in time, inviting us to consider the role of the artist in society, and the power of self-representation.