The artwork titled “Self-Portrait” was created by the artist Jacques-Louis David in the year 1794. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 81 by 64 centimeters and exemplifies the Neoclassical art movement. This self-portrait genre painting is part of the collection at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
In this solemn self-portrait, Jacques-Louis David captures his own likeness with notable detail and a controlled palette characteristic of Neoclassicism. The face of the artist conveys an intense and focused demeanor, with eyes that seem to engage the viewer directly. The lighting accentuates his facial features, particularly his furrowed brow and the set of his mouth, which together suggest a moment of deep contemplation or resolve.
David is depicted wearing a white cravat and a reddish-brown garment that evokes the fashion of the period. His attire is rendered with loose but effective brushstrokes, suggesting the softness of the fabrics. One hand is prominently placed in the foreground, holding an unseen object or perhaps a painter’s tool, though this is left to the viewer’s interpretation. The backdrop is subdued, employing a neutral tone that allows the figure of David to stand out, further emphasizing the personal and introspective nature of this self-portrait.
