Self-Portrait
ca. 1730
Dressed in the height of 1730s fashion with a flowing coat and a curly periwig, Jean-Marc Nattier turns back to gaze at the viewer while clutching a violin and bow. Unlike his famous, polished portraits of French royalty depicted as mythological goddesses, this lively sketch reveals a more personal, casual side of the artist. The loose, energetic strokes suggest this was a quick study, capturing a moment of musical performance. A tiny, floating sketch of another figure in the top right corner hints at the artist's busy mind, juggling multiple ideas on a single sheet of paper.
- Technique
- Chalk drawing
- Material
- Paper
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