Self-Portrait
1878
Franz Schrotzberg turns the lens on himself in this striking 1878 self-portrait, capturing his own intense gaze and impressive beard with academic precision. As one of Vienna's most sought-after portraitists, he spent his career painting the faces of famous musicians like Franz Liszt, essentially creating a visual 'Who's Who' of the 19th century. Here, however, he gives us a rare, unvarnished look at the artist himself at age 67. The dark, moody background really makes his face pop, showing off the realistic skills that made him so famous in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.