Zelfportret 1784 - 1837

Charles Howard Hodges created this self-portrait drawing, using pastel and charcoal, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is dominated by a head and shoulders view. Soft, diffused light gives form to the artist's face, drawing our eyes to the piercing gaze of the subject. Consider how Hodges uses line and shading to construct not just an image, but an impression of self. The lines around the coat, for example, are loose and suggestive. This is in contrast to the careful attention to the face, where the artist uses delicate pastel to model the subtle planes and volumes. Hodges is not just recording his likeness; he is actively constructing an identity. The gaze is direct, and the face is rendered in detail, as if to say, "look closely, see me." This invites a dialogue about the nature of self-representation and the power of the artist to create and control their image. The soft rendering and intimate scale draw us into a personal encounter with the artist.