Self-Portrait
1857
Black chalk, with charcoal and stumping, on blue laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper, perimeter mounted to gray board
36.5 × 31.2 cm (14.4 × 12.3 in)
SEE IT IN PERSON
Not currently on view
In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026
Discussion
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
Among Fantin-Latour’s portraits, the most penetrating are those he made of himself. This is an early attempt, created when he was just 21 years old, and may reflect the influence of Edgar Degas, whom he had met just two years previously. As with many young artists, the most available model could be found in the mirror, fostering many such brooding images bursting with potential.
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